Thomas Tuchel's decision to start Jude Bellingham ahead of Morgan Rogers was backed up by the scoreline in England vs Croatia. England won 2-4 in Dallas, with Bellingham scoring in the 47th minute and Harry Kane adding two of his own. It was not a clean performance, but it was the kind of night that makes a selection call look decisive rather than debatable.

How Tuchel's choice was justified

Shearer was blunt about it. Alan Shearer said: “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”. That is hard to argue with when Bellingham has a goal, an 80-minute shift and a 7.6 rating to point to.

Kane made the bigger statistical impact. He scored twice, with a penalty in the 12th minute and a second goal in the 42nd minute, and finished with an 8.3 rating. Bellingham then added England's third goal after Croatia had made it 4-2 just before half-time, which is exactly the sort of response Tuchel needed from the player he backed.

Ian Wright put it in simpler terms: “What we saw tonight is they both (Kane and Bellingham) stepped up and I'm sure when the games get tougher they will do that again.” That is the strongest case for Tuchel's call. He did not just pick the more established name, he picked the player who handled the pressure of the moment.

What the win says about England

England's evening was messy before it became convincing. Croatia had twice pegged them back, but the second half brought the control Tuchel wanted, and Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score the fourth goal on 85 minutes. Rooney called it “a great performance”, and the result gives England something more useful than applause, a win built on their main attackers doing the damage.

Tuchel had another storyline as well. He said a wall of 50 photographers blocked his view of the national anthems and ruined part of his first World Cup experience as England manager, and asked FIFA to change the position of the photographers. That complaint is separate from the football, and it should stay that way until FIFA actually responds.

The football is the cleaner story. Bellingham justified the starting spot, Kane was England's most decisive attacker, and the team left Dallas with a 4-2 win that should make the selection debate a little quieter before the next game.

FAQ

Did Thomas Tuchel get the Bellingham selection right against Croatia?

The evidence from England's 4-2 win says yes. Jude Bellingham started ahead of Morgan Rogers, scored England's third goal in the 47th minute and finished with a 7.6 rating after 80 minutes. Alan Shearer said Tuchel “has made the right one” with that call.

How did Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham influence England's win over Croatia?

They were the main attacking drivers. Harry Kane scored twice, including a 12th-minute penalty and a second goal in the 42nd minute, while Jude Bellingham added England's third goal straight after half-time. Ian Wright said both players “stepped up” and can do it again when games get tougher.

What happened in England's 4-2 win over Croatia?

England won 4-2 in Dallas after a messy first half. Croatia twice pegged them back before Bellingham scored in the 47th minute, and Marcus Rashford came off the bench to add the fourth goal on 85 minutes.

What did Thomas Tuchel say about photographers during England's anthem?

Tuchel said a wall of 50 photographers blocked his view of the national anthems and ruined part of his first World Cup experience as England manager. He asked FIFA to change the position of the photographers, but that is a request, not proof of a rule change.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →