It was a perfect first outing at the 2026 World Cup for England as they beat Croatia 4-2. They’d had to wait six days after the tournament began, but the Group L clash lived up to expectations.

Harry Kane opened the scoring from 12 yards, getting to retake his initially missed penalty, but saw his team pegged back thanks to a fine strike from Martin Baturina in the 36th minute. The England captain hit back with a header from a corner before the break, but there was still time for Petar Musa to make it 2-2 before the half-time whistle blew.

In the second half, the Three Lions really took control of the game, keeping Croatia at arm’s length throughout. They were helped by Jude Bellingham’s effort just two minutes after play resumed, while Marcus Rashford made it 4-2 late on to seal what was an impressive performance for the most part.

One man in particular stood out and has picked up plenty of praise from the England fans.

Three Lions Star Delivers Goods at World Cup

Jim Rassol via Reuters

Before the game, there would have been many disappointed to see Arsenal star Bukayo Saka start. However, Tuchel has revealed that the winger is nursing an Achilles injury, so he won’t be fully fit at the start of the World Cup.

As such, Noni Madueke was given the nod. The other Arsenal winger is a fine player on his day, but can often frustrate fans. This was evident with the open goal he missed in the pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica. His efforts on that day left many insisting he should not start this summer.

Tuchel ignored those pleas and was rewarded with an electric performance. Madueke was arguably the most threatening player on the pitch in the first half as he won a penalty for the Three Lions and consistently wreaked havoc on the left wing.

He finished the game with a 7.6 SofaScore rating, only bettered by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. The winger played 72 minutes in total, with two key passes, one big chance created, 0.41 expected assists, and lost the ball just twice with his 26 touches.

England Fans Apologise to Madueke

A number of England fans made it clear they had misjudged Madueke’s quality, as they took to social media to apologise to the winger. One wrote:

Another added: “Madueke I owe you an apology.” One more said:

Others were really impressed, with one remarking: “Madueke has been the best player for England so far in this game and this same guy everyone keeps saying he doesn’t deserve a spot at the World Cup campaign. Let your apology be louder than your disrespect.”

One more summed up the mood, saying: “I keep telling you guys Noni Madueke is an elite winger.”

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.