For the opening 45 minutes under the giant Victorian train station roof at the Dallas Stadium, England produced a performance that resembled a faulty robot. They contributed almost zero free-form football, yet somehow reached half-time at 2-2 thanks to two Harry Kane set-piece goals — the first a penalty retaken after Croatia keeper Dominic Livakovic was adjudged to have moved forward, the second a header. Then came the moment that changed everything.
At which point, the most important thing happened. Jude Bellingham scored what would become the decisive goal in a 4-2 win. Barney Ronay, writing for The Guardian, described it as 'an angry goal, and in exactly the right way.' Bellingham took the ball in the right channel, running onto a simple pass over the top, and kept going, veering inside with all drive and focus. He had the speed to leave two defenders behind and the skill to produce a fine, cold, guided finish into the far corner at full sprint.
“Jude Bellingham's angry second-half goal sparked England's 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia as fans partied in Dallas.”
Within 10 minutes, England swarmed all over Croatia. Marcus Rashford rounded off the victory with an ice-cool finish on 85 minutes, as Barcelona star made it 4-2.
In the Texas Live indoor arena, thousands of England fans watching on a giant 100ft screen erupted. They sang 'It's Coming Home' as the goals flew in. Mechanical technician Tom Critchley, from Preston, Lancashire, hailed Kane: 'You don't get 60 goals a season by accident. It was class. I think we will learn what Thomas Tuchel is all about now.'
Joe Salazar, 38, from Blackburn, had travelled from Vancouver, Canada, after buying $500 (£375) tickets on the FIFA website. 'It has been a great trip, the people here have been so hospitable,' he said.
Among the crowd were Mark and Michelle Lynch from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who won four $500 tickets in a FIFA draw. Their eight-year-old son Finley, who plays for Inter Miami under eights alongside Ciro Messi, said of Lionel Messi's son: 'Ciro is a very good player, just like his dad.' Michelle added: 'Lionel Messi's English is not so good but his wife Antonella speaks excellent English. They are a lovely family.'
The fanzone was festooned with flags from Stoke City, Brits in St Louis, West Ham United and Oldham Athletic. England had started mechanically, but by the end, the joint was really jumping.