Noni Madueke won the penalty that Harry Kane converted to give England the lead in their 4-2 victory over Croatia – a moment that would have been unimaginable to the fans who had protested his arrival at Arsenal with a #NoToMadueke petition just 12 months ago.
The 24-year-old completed a move from Chelsea for about £50m last summer, but supporters launched a petition against the signing. Yet under 12 months later, Madueke is a Premier League winner after helping Mikel Arteta's side to their first league title in 22 years, and started for Thomas Tuchel's England on the right wing in the World Cup opener.
“Noni Madueke, once protested by Arsenal fans, started England's World Cup win; 1986 fans reunited.”
Bukayo Saka, expected to be England's starting right winger, is dealing with an Achilles issue he has carried since March – forcing him into an unusual competition with Madueke for game time at both club and country. Saka, who made his 50th England appearance against Croatia, described the situation as "unique", adding "I don't really know how it works, but it works".
Tuchel has been full of praise for Madueke, calling him a "difference-maker" and highlighting his "one-on-one ability". The German manager's gameplan is built around Kane, with wingers running behind to leave space for the captain to drop deep – a tactic that saw Madueke deliver four passes to Kane against Croatia, the joint most in the team alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Among the 80,000-plus crowd in Dallas were four men who had waited 40 years to see England play at a World Cup again – because they never came home from Mexico 1986. Gary Allen, Stuart Bates, David Arnold and Garry Hardwicke jetted off to follow the Three Lions four decades ago but enjoyed it so much they never returned, forging new lives across the US and Mexico, getting married and having 14 children between them.
Gary, 63, who now lives in Atlanta, and Stuart, 63, who lives in Texas, were reunited at the Croatia game – their first England match together in decades. They gate-crashed a Croatian VIP box, helped themselves to free beer and food, and watched the match in $3,000 seats. They also met up with Steve Dawson – AKA Texas Steve – who took them in 40 years ago. "It was amazing to see the lads," Gary said. "The place was absolutely packed… it was just incredible." The last time Gary and Stuart reunited was around the US 94 cup.
Despite the emphatic win, England's pre-tournament form offered little reassurance. They won warm-ups 1-0 against New Zealand and 3-0 against Costa Rica, but earlier friendlies against Uruguay and Japan – both not beaten – were marked by stodgy football and a grim sense of familiarity. Tuchel, an Anglophile who loves London, is an excellent coach who can effect rapid change, but his controversial squad selection prioritises balance and specific roles over reputation. With the bookmakers, England are third favourites to win the World Cup.