England boss Thomas Tuchel appeared to clash with one of his key players over certain tactics during his side’s win over Croatia in the World Cup group stage.

It came during a chaotic first half in Dallas, when the Three Lions took the lead twice through Harry Kane, but were pegged back by Martin Baturina and Petar Musa before the break.

Assistant head coach Anthony Barry revealed his frustrations with the team in a punchy half-time interview with ITV, while whatever was said at the break certainly sprang the side into life for the second half.

There were clear frustrations spilling over at points, which extended to the England head coach, as well as his assistants on the touchline.

Thomas Tuchel And Jordan Pickford Clash

England manager Thomas Tuchel via REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

As far as first matches at the World Cup go, Tuchel has been handed one of the more exciting games to pick the bones out of. There will be tweaks ahead, and some consultation with his players no doubt.

One of those who may have a bit more time on the training ground is Jordan Pickford, who seemingly clashed with the manager over his insistence of playing out from the back.

While the ITV cameras didn’t catch it, reports Geoff Shreeves, who was working for FOX Sports in America, claimed that the manager barked instructions at his goalkeeper.

During a break in play in the first half, while the Everton shot-stopper is believed to have fired back some words at the head coach, Tuchel is alleged to have said:

In the end, England persisted with playing out from the back, as goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford secured a 4-2 win with a much-improved second-half display.

It marked the first three points of the campaign for the Three Lions, who take on Ghana next in Boston, before the third and final match against Panama in New Jersey.

Perfect Start For England And Tuchel

England’s Ezri Konsa and John Stones via Reuters/Maria Lysaker

England’s topsy-turvy opening game in Texas has helped get the tournament underway for the side after a long wait from the initial start date for the competition.

It provided an ideal start with three points for Tuchel, but it also provided the perfect test for the manager to sink his teeth into international management at the World Cup.

While England could’ve turned up and smashed a minnow, they were tested by a good Croatia side who were able to show some of the strengths and weaknesses with the manager’s approach.

It was a perfect start, not in display, but in what it provides for the head coach. It gave him three points, some positive displays, but things to work on that should make England better in the latter stages of this tournament.

It remains to be seen just how far the Three Lions can go, but that win over Croatia could be the foundation for a deep run this summer.

It has been revealed what Max Verstappen told Red Bull Racing in response to a contract extension tabled by the Formula 1 giants, a proposal which would see the Dutchman stay with the team until 2032.

It has been previously stated that Verstappen held meetings with the team, and he did not want to discuss his future with the side at all. However, according to Ralph Schumacher, discussions over the driver’s contract were in fact brought up during the meeting held in Milton Keynes.

An apparent 6-year contract extension was tabled by Red Bull’s top brass, but Schumacher, on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, shed some light on the meeting, how this offer was received by Verstappen, and other issues that were brought up during the event.

Max Verstappen’s Reaction to Red Bull’s Long-Term Contract Offer

“I get the feeling that Oliver Mintzlaff has faded into the background a bit.” Red Bull’s managing director took a lead role following the exits of Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. He continued: “You don’t see him around. I reckon Mark Mateschitz has now made [development] a top priority, that’s why Max Verstappen was in Austria. I get the feeling they’ve lost a bit of trust in each other.”

When discussing Verstappen’s contract extension, Schumacher claimed, “I’ve heard they were desperate for Max to sign a contract until 2032. Max apparently refused and said, ‘Well, I don’t need that right now; I’m on contract until 2028 anyway, so I’d rather wait and see.’”

It is also believed that Verstappen has an exit clause in his current contract, which is based on the standings of this year. If the four-time world champion is outside the top two by the summer break, this clause will become active. Verstappen currently sits 60 points behind Lewis Hamilton, who is in the midst of something of a resurgence in the iconic red of Ferrari, and Red Bull’s form is not quite that of Mercedes and the Scuderia, who are extending their leads week on week at the top of the table.

Red Bull’s Offer to Eliminate Max Verstappen’s Summer Exit Clause

Red Bull management have now accepted that Verstappen won’t make the top two before the summer break and reportedly to have a plan to stop their star man from leaving.

According to Sports Bild, they have decided to ‘buy it out’. To persuade Verstappen to waive the clause, they will try to pay the driver a figure in the tens of millions to stay on.

Despite this, fans and pundits alike suspect that he will only stay on if he sees a route back to the top of the sport, which is where he, and the team, will believe he belongs.

England fans knew their trip to America for the World Cup may be expensive, but there has been frustration from fans at the prices charged in the stadium for their opener in the group.

The Three Lions have had to wait a while to finally get into action, with almost a week between the start of the tournament and Thomas Tuchel’s men beginning their campaign.

It all starts in Texas at the Dallas Stadium, as England take on familiar foes Croatia in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

Roughly 15,000 fans have made their way to America to cheer on the team, as they look to end 60 years of hurt, but they will be there at some cost.

While ticket prices, hotels, and travel have all been well-documented as being pricey, the fans are also being charged a lot for refreshments and food.

England Fans Pay Price For Expensive Refreshments

Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck

England fans have already sunk a lot of money into travelling to watch their team in the World Cup, but it has cost them even more at the Dallas Stadium.

Expensive drinks were being charged in the concourses, with $15.95 being charged for a beer, and $25.50 for a margarita cocktail, for any fan wanting an alcoholic drink.

Water was being charged at $8.25, with sparkling water charged at $0.25 more expensive, and a sports drink priced at $8.50.

As for food, the cheapest item were chips, listed as $7, while the most expensive food item was a quesadilla being charged at $26, quite the price for any peckish fans.

That overshadows the prices that fans pay for in the Premier League and the EFL, being charged at multiple times that of clubs in the English tiers.

Naturally, there has been some frustration and backlash coming from the supporters who have attended.

England Fan Frustration over Food and Drink Costs

Taking to social media, England fans voiced their frustrations at the prices being charged at the Dallas Stadium. One fan said: “Chips are cheaper than water….crazy….”

Another added: “Those prices are least twice as much as in Atlanta – is it profiteering off England fans?” while another fan said: “£12 a pint blimey.”

The water prices were the main point of frustration, as a supporter said: “£6.20 for a water. That’s criminal.”

“So a pint and a packet of crisps is nearly $25…” another fan pointed out, underlining the sheer cost of the World Cup on supporters in America.

In a World Cup that has been criticised for being a rip-off for the travellers, the concourse prices are hardly helping to shake that reputation.