England thump Croatia 4-2

[Q]

We got off to a great start and then let them back in it a couple of times

But worthy winners in the end could have been much more but for the efforts of Croatias keeper.

[Maxximus]

My favourite match of the World Cup so far . Goals galore

[BiscuitTin]

Kane was ridiculous tonight. People talk about goals but his overall game was brilliant as well.

The way he drops in, links things together and still ends up in the right place at the right time is such a weapon.

And Bellingham just seems to make everything feel faster and more confident around him.

If those two stay fit I am going to allow myself a bit of optimism for once.

[Dave_37]

You can tell Kane enjoys having runners around him because he looked completely in sync out there.

Every time he got on the ball something felt possible. Calm when needed and ruthless when chances opened up.

Bellingham is turning into one of those players where you expect something good every time he gets involved.

Honestly exciting to watch that partnership growing.

[Stuart_67]

That felt like one of those matches where the big players actually played like big players.

Kane leading from the front, getting involved in everything and still delivering end product is exactly what you want.

Then Bellingham comes charging through midfield like he has endless energy.

Feels like England have two players who genuinely raise everyone else's level.

[GhostRider]

Kane deserves loads of credit because people always reduce him to goals and ignore everything else.

His movement, passing and decision making were excellent all game.

Bellingham meanwhile plays with ridiculous confidence without looking careless.

There were moments where they looked like they already knew what the other was about to do.

[Coastal Estuary]

I know everyone will mention the score but the Kane and Bellingham combo was the thing that stood out to me.

Kane looked like the experienced leader keeping everything connected and composed.

Bellingham brings that fearless energy that changes the mood of a match.

That balance of calm and drive is such a nice thing to watch.

[NightHarbour91]

Bellingham is becoming one of those players that gets people off the sofa before anything has even happened.

Then having Kane ahead of him who can finish, create and organise the attack makes it even better.

There was a point where every attack seemed to go through one of them.

If they keep building chemistry like this England supporters are going to have a lot of fun.

[AJStyles]

Great start, proper chaos in the middle, then somehow we remembered how to play football again. That second half felt miles better than the bit where we kept inviting pressure.

Croatia still had moments though. At 2-2 I had that familiar feeling of here we go again.

Fair play to England for not folding. Four goals against a side that usually stays organised is not something to moan about.

[QuietObserver13]

I know the scoreline looks comfortable now but I do not think it was as one sided as people will make out.

For about twenty minutes Croatia were moving the ball better and we looked rattled. Different day and they nick another one.

Still, taking chances matters and England actually did that for once. Cannot complain too much.

[EthanHinds]

Loved the energy but the defending gave me heartburn.

We start flying, everyone starts talking about ten nil, then suddenly it turns into a proper match again.

That said, scoring four is always fun. I would rather win entertaining games than grind out another miserable one nil.

[Pipeline Courier]

I missed the first goal because I put the kettle on and came back to celebrations.

Then I watched the rest and decided maybe I should leave the room every time England attack.

If anyone needs me for the next match I will be standing in the kitchen making tactical tea.

[Leah_68]

People are focusing on the goals but I thought the biggest positive was the reaction after Croatia equalised.

Older England sides sometimes looked tense after losing momentum. This lot seemed annoyed more than nervous.

Not perfect at all, but there was a bit of maturity there.

[Gareth19]

I am going to be the awkward one and say the score flatters us slightly.

Attack looked sharp, no argument there, but giving Croatia that route back in is not ideal. Better teams punish that.

Enjoy the win though. No point inventing problems after scoring four.

[Dark Hawk]

That match had everything. Fast start, panic, arguments in the match thread, then everyone acting confident again by full time.

Football discussions are undefeated for emotional swings.

Tomorrow people will either say we are winning everything or call us finished after one misplaced pass.

[Beth]

Croatia always seem to drag teams into weird games where control disappears.

England actually handled that better than expected. Instead of slowing down too much they kept pushing.

Good entertainment for neutrals and a decent confidence boost for us.

[ShadowPilot83]

I enjoyed it but I am not reading too much into it yet.

International football is strange. One week a team looks unstoppable and the next week they cannot string three passes together.

Still, four goals is four goals and I will take being happy for a change.

[Oscar_38]

Thought the midfield battle was more interesting than the scoreline suggests.

When England moved the ball quickly Croatia struggled, but once the tempo dropped they started finding spaces everywhere.

End result looks convincing though and that is what people remember.

[Danny_21]

The best thing for me was that the crowd stayed up for it even when Croatia got back into the game.

Sometimes the mood turns instantly and the whole place gets nervous.

Instead it stayed lively and the players seemed to feed off that.

[Lucy05]

I am choosing to believe this was all part of a genius plan.

Score early, let them think they are back in it, then hit them again. Completely intentional. Not stressful at all.

See everyone next match for another calm and measured evening of football opinions.