In his exclusive column for Metro, former England World Cup star David James reflects on a stunning victory over Croatia in the Three Lions’ group opener and explains why there will be tweaks against Ghana.
England's fearless mentality
England got the perfect start they wanted against Croatia. The way the game developed was very encouraging as far as our chances of winning the whole thing are concerned. It wasn’t a particularly good first 45 minutes from us despite the goals. But the reaction at half-time was tremendous. The second-half was the kind of performance we would expect from these players. To go at them, to command and control the game.
There was an adjustment in that second-half but crucially, there was never any nervousness. Even when Croatia got the two goals back, there wasn’t any. I can only guess here, but it is almost like Thomas Tuchel has told them he doesn’t mind conceding goals, just win the game. Which is a very different narrative from “don’t let them score and we will get our chances”. There was no fear and I liked it.
Harry Kane's team-first performance
The other thing I think is key is Harry Kane scored two goals. But amid all the discourse around the game, it hasn’t been about Harry Kane and his England team, it has been the England team that Harry Kane scored two goals for. In the past, had our striker scored two goals in a game of that magnitude, it would have all been about the striker. But this was about the team and it seems to be an ideal scenario for Thomas Tuchel because all he has talked about is the importance of the team and not just the importance of any individual player.
How England must approach the Ghana game
If the opposition aren’t there to cause problems, I don’t see a scenario in this competition where England will want to sit back on a lead. Being one goal up and still allowing the opposition to be in positions where they can score is not what we saw in the second-half against Croatia. The control was offensive control, causing Croatia problems. We could do that again against Ghana.
Ghana might feel they don’t have to win this game. After beating Panama in their first game, they might feel a draw and four points is enough to see them through. So what we might see is a different approach if Ghana sit off and try hold onto the game. They might fancy going for it against Croatia in their final group game instead of England. So we will see a different side of the England team even at this early stage which can only be a good thing and something we can refer back to when we get to the knockout stages.
Tuchel could make three or four changes
I think there will be rotation and would have been irrespective of the result the other night. Marcus Rashford may start, Bukayo Saka might be another. I think there will be three or four changes rather than sticking to the same side and then looking to Panama as the game to change things. I think this could be a case of England needing to show they can play with different styles and approaches in the knockout games so the players need to be exposed to that.
I think Marcus Rashford comes in tonight. Tuchel is sounding like Mikel Arteta in a lot of ways. Arteta mentioned numerous times last season the importance of finishers and the impact of substitutions to finish and win games. The preparation for starting the game is just as important as the preparation for finishing it and I’d be very surprised if it is the same starting lineup. I don’t think that’s the way Tuchel has put this squad together. In Rashford’s case, I just think it makes sense for him to start.
Will John Stones or Ezri Konsa be dropped?
If Marc Guehi does comes back in, I don’t think it comes as a result of what happened in the first-half against Croatia. It will be more of a rotation decision if it does happen. There is a nucleus of 14 or 15 players that Tuchel will look at as all starters and Guehi and Rashford will be included in that.
The quality of the Croatia goals can’t be overlooked. Someone mentioned to me Jordan Pickford might be disappointed with the first – of course he was, it went in. As a goalkeeper, if it goes in you are disappointed. But the quality of the goal was excellent. He still managed to get across and get a hand to it which will add to his frustration but the fact he was able to get across still shows his quality. The second goal was very well crafted; we can look at individuals and say they should have done this or that, but at the end of it all it was still a very smart move.
Positives despite conceding
You are allowed to be nervous. The most impressive thing was how England reacted and didn’t crumble. There were so many positives. 20 years ago I would have been pulling my hair out over the fact we let two goals in. The difference now is there is the trust from the manager that we will still go on and win irrespective of if we concede.
England door still open for Maguire
Tino Livramento dropping out meant there was a conversation to be had. I’m a big Harry Maguire fan; if you could create an England defender it would look like Harry Maguire in terms of his ability, his desire, his passion. However, I think there is a limitation to Maguire, that he plays one role. In the squad there are players who can play more than one. Trevoh Chalobah who has been brought in can play in multiple positions. I just think that it makes more sense for Tuchel. I don’t think Maguire coming into the squad at this stage would have solved the problems the manager might envisage happening.
I don’t think there is anything in Tuchel and his decisions that is spiteful. He says it as it is which sometimes might sound harsh or blunt but I believe Maguire still has the opportunity to get back into that team. I don’t think he has said anything bad about his manager, he has just expressed his frustration which he is entitled to do. But I would like to think the door is still wide open for Harry Maguire and England going forward.
David James wrote for Metro ahead of England’s second World Cup 2026 game against Ghana.
