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  "path": "/2026/06/17/alan-shearer-praises-thomas-tuchel-decision-englands-world-cup-win-croatia-28821640/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-17T22:13:07.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Alan Shearer",
    "Croatia football team",
    "England men's football team",
    "Jude Bellingham",
    "Morgan Rogers",
    "Thomas Tuchel",
    "World Cup",
    "dazzling attacking performance",
    "Harry Kane",
    "Kane’s thumping header",
    "Sign up here",
    "Jordan Pickford",
    "BBC Sport",
    "@GabrielClarke05",
    "pic.twitter.com/rdpQdytJt5",
    "June 17, 2026",
    "check our sport page",
    "Facebook",
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    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source",
    "@itvfootball"
  ],
  "textContent": "Thomas Tuchel during England’s World Cup opener (Picture: Getty)\n\nAlan Shearer says Thomas Tuchel got one of his first major World Cup calls spot on as England sealed a statement win over Croatia.\n\nThe Three Lions produced a dazzling attacking performance out in Dallas, scoring four goals in a 4-2 victory over 2018 runners-up and 2022 semi-finalists Croatia.\n\nHarry Kane put England ahead inside 13 minutes, scoring a retaken penalty to equal Gary Lineker as the nation’s top goalscorer at World Cups.\n\nA thunderous strike from Croatia’s Martin Baturina briefly stunned England but they restored their advantage through Kane’s thumping header.\n\n##  Don't miss anything from the World Cup\n\nStill got it (Picture: MB Media/Getty Images)\n\n\nA Lionel Messi hattrick. A Kylian Mbappe screamer. Erling Haaland's first World Cup goals. We've got it all in today's World Cup newsletter. Oh, and we're looking ahead to England's crucial opener against Croatia.\n\nSign up here.\n\nCroatia were level again just before half-time, Petar Musa volleying past Jordan Pickford, but England asserted their dominance after the break.\n\nJude Bellingham, picked in the No. 10 role ahead of Morgan Rogers, danced into the penalty box before producing a superb finish.\n\nEngland then wasted a number of chances to put the game to bed before finally ending Croatia’s resistance through substitute Marcus Rashford.\n\nJude Bellingham celebrates during England’s win (Picture: Getty)\n\nTuchel’s side were well worth the win despite a couple of shaky moments at the back and Shearer praised the manager’s decision to start Bellingham despite calls for Rogers to be rewarded for his sensational season at Aston Villa.\n\n‘Well you can have the discussion – Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers – but the manager has made the right one because he has come up with something like that,’ Shearer told BBC Sport after the Real Madrid star popped up with another crucial goal for England.\n\n‘He sees the spot, has a look there, knows where he wants to put it and guides it in there. It was a great finish and great start to the second half for England.’\n\nEngland legend Alan Shearer (Picture: Getty)\n\nDiscussing England’s opening win more generally, Shearer added: ‘I think there’s so many positives to come out of that performance.\n\n‘The goals that they scored and how they stood strong when they did come under pressure. All in all a good night for England. Lots of positives.’\n\nFormer England captain Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, said he ‘loved’ the Three Lions’ opening World Cup win.\n\n> 💪 England's second-half performance\n> 🗯️ Tuchel's half-time speech\n> ⚽️ Anderson's assist for his goal\n>\n> Jude Bellingham reflects on England v Croatia with @GabrielClarke05 pic.twitter.com/rdpQdytJt5\n>\n> — ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 17, 2026\n\n‘I loved it. I thought it was a great performance,’ the Manchester United legend said.\n\n‘They can do a little better with the two goals [they conceded] but so positive and getting to the ball, creating chances, making it hard for Croatia to get out.\n\n‘That was as exciting a first game of a tournament I’ve seen for a long time. I think it was a great performance.\n\n‘I think the main thing was making a positive start and for England to win the game was the main thing for me tonight and we’ve seen Argentina who have been brilliant.\n\n‘France in the second half were brilliant but this tournament doesn’t start until the knockout stages and England will get to the knockout stages then it’ll start.\n\n‘Now it’s about building momentum for when we get there.’\n\nEngland, who are aiming to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966, face Ghana in their next group game on Tuesday night.\n\n**For more stories like this, check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook,** Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Alan Shearer praises Thomas Tuchel decision after England’s World Cup win over Croatia"
}