Harry Kane has credited Thomas Tuchel’s inspiring halftime team talk for England‘s impressive 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
- +Tuchel’s halftime talk inspired England’s win over Croatia, says Kane
- +“And I think we’ve done exactly that in the second half.”
- +“But we did get going, and that’s positive.”
Kane scored twice in the first half, but Croatia battled back to level the score at 2-2 before the break.
Kane scored twice in the first half, but Croatia battled back to level the score at 2-2 before the break.
England responded after halftime, with Jude Bellingham restoring the Three Lions’ lead before substitute Marcus Rashford sealed the victory as the Three Lions launched their World Cup campaign in style.
Kane revealed that Tuchel challenged his players to play without fear after Croatia’s late first-half equaliser.
“He gave a great speech, to be honest, especially after the way we conceded that second goal just before halftime,” Kane said.
“He just told us to let the shackles off and calm down. What are we scared of? Let’s just go.
“The way we conceded that second goal, it’s not the team we want to be, dropping deep, waiting and conceding anyway.
“He kind of just said, what’s the worst that can happen? We lose a match, first group game; we get on with it; we move on. Let’s just go and show the world who we can be.
“And I think we’ve done exactly that in the second half.”
England emerged from the interval with renewed energy and purpose.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham put the Three Lions ahead shortly after the restart with a brilliant solo effort before Rashford added a late fourth goal to secure all three points.
The victory underlined England’s attacking quality, although defensive vulnerabilities were exposed during a chaotic first half.
Tuchel, who has been tasked with ending England’s long wait for major silverware, admitted his players lacked confidence before the break.
“I felt a bit nervous,” the German told ITV.
“The decisions we took were basically safe. We played too many balls backwards.
“We struggled to find the rhythm and didn’t have the confidence to go through the gaps and find the rhythm in some short passes and then the switch of play.”
However, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach was delighted with the response after halftime.
“I love the reaction of the players in the second half. The second half was excellent,” Tuchel said.
“We deserved to win, but it was emotional; a lot of emotions were involved, and it took us a while to get going.
“But we did get going, and that’s positive.”
The result gives England an ideal start to their World Cup campaign as they look to challenge for their first major international trophy since 1966.
