England opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Group L, leaving Zlatko Dalic’s side facing early pressure in the tournament. Croatia twice came from behind before half-time, but England’s sharper attacking play and Croatia’s weak set-piece defending shaped a match that now leaves Dalic warning there is no room for more mistakes.

The game marked a reversal of the 2018 semi-final outcome, when Croatia ended England’s run in Russia. This time Thomas Tuchel’s team took control, especially after the break. Jude Bellingham’s goal early in the second half turned a level contest into one-way traffic, with Croatia struggling to escape their own half under sustained pressure.

Both of England’s first-half goals came from dead-ball situations, an area that had been a strength for Croatia at previous tournaments. Harry Kane scored first from a retaken penalty after Luka Modric clipped Noni Madueke from a corner, then Kane headed in Declan Rice’s set-piece delivery to restore the lead and expose Croatia’s defensive organisation.

Dalic was clear that these situations changed the match and highlighted a worrying trend. “We used to be quite good at set-pieces. We didn’t concede goals that easily, and we practised for this opponent. We knew the way England were going to play,” Dalic lamented. “It was disastrous, specifically when it comes to a team like England. About 40% of their goals are from set pieces. We must correct it and must avoid similar mistakes in the future.”

After the defeat, Dalic stressed the mental and tactical reset now needed before Croatia meet Panama and then Ghana. “It’s not easy to lose. You lose your self-confidence, and that’s not good,” Dalic said. “We must prepare well for the next two games in the first stage. It’s very important for us to be at the right level after this defeat. We do not have the right to any more mistakes. I wouldn’t say that this was a bad match. There were some errors we committed, some mistakes we made. We were punished by our opponents. Two matches are ahead of us, new beginnings.”

Croatia have experience of recovering from slow starts at World Cups, having lost their opening fixture at four of their last six editions. That run includes campaigns where Croatia reached the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022. Since 2002, only Australia have suffered as many matchday one defeats, which underlines both Croatia’s resilience and their recurring early difficulties.

World Cup Group L: England’s attacking numbers against Croatia

Tuchel’s side produced an assertive display after half-time, converting pressure into chances and goals. England recorded 13 shots after the interval, with nine on target, and generated 1.83 expected goals. Croatia managed six attempts in that period, with three on target, and finished with only 0.33 expected goals, highlighting the gap in attacking threat.

England had already shown signs of attacking threat in the first half, even if control improved later. Harry Kane struck twice before the break, yet Croatia responded through Martin Baturina’s powerful finish and Petar Musa’s stoppage-time goal. Those equalisers kept the match alive at half-time but did not prevent England from seizing command soon after the restart.