This was an England we haven't seen for years - and it was fun

This was an England we haven't seen for years - and it was fun England's fans were carried out of the magnificent Dallas Stadium into the warm night air on a carpet of exhilaration after Thomas Tuchel's side delivered a powerful statement of intent. Harry Kane told his England team-mates to be "free in the mind" and embrace the pressures the World Cup brings – and they took him at his word for good and bad. England's opening 4-2 win against Croatia was a mixture of thrilling attacking football and worrying defensive frailty, but the smiles on the faces of supporters making their way away from this vast arena told another story. This was, whisper it, fun. England have been a hard watch for much of the recent era, even when reaching the Euro 2024 final and World Cup quarter-final in Qatar four years ago. Those two tournaments were dry fare, despite England progressing deep into them only to eventually fall short. Sir Gareth Southgate's excellent record showed the ends justified much of the means, but it was rarely done in a style that moved you towards the edge of of your seat. Not here. Dull this was not - although admittedly not always in a way Tuchel would have enjoyed. This was a game you could not turn your gaze away from for a second, whether it was watching the cold fury of Tuchel in the first half, then an attacking siege in the second half which led to England's head coach falling into the arms of countryman Jurgen Klopp in the aftermath when he spotted him on the touchline working as a TV pundit. It was football on the edge and England's followers, judging by their reaction at the final whistle and afterwards, loved it. 'Chip on shoulder' may help Bellingham to best form 'If we lose, we lose in our way' - what Tuchel said at half-time I knew stuttered run-up might get keeper off line - Kane Whether they will love it if England defend so poorly against better opposition is another matter. The thought of world-class strikers being faced with the sort of slipshod defence we saw in Dallas, especially in the first half, will be a very sobering takeaway for Tuchel, who will know it was simply not good enough. The selection of Ezri Konsa ahead of Manchester City defender Marc Guehi was contentious. It is a debate that will continue as Aston Villa's defender did not make a compelling case for his continued inclusion. Tuchel could barely disguise his displeasure as England led twice through captain Kane, who equalled Gary Lineker's World Cup record of 10 goals for his country, only for poor defending to allow the ever-dangerous Croatia back into the game. Whatever Tuchel said, and it was unlikely to have been pleasantries, was the catalyst for an outstanding attacking display which saw Jude Bellingham restore England's lead moments after half-time. Croatia were then pinned back under a wave of attacks, particularly for one spell midway through the half, which they somehow survived until Marcus Rashford wrapped up the win late on. Tuchel's team selection was a tough one given the resources at his disposal, but selecting Bellingham ahead of Morgan Rogers – the tightest of calls as he admitted – and preserving Bukayo Saka's fitness by playing Noni Madueke worked. Bellingham was England's powerhouse with surging runs from midfield, exemplified by his goal when he left Mario Pasalic trailing before beating Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic. It was the moment the game turned as England – late out for the second half and clearly fuelled by a few verbals from Tuchel – instantly played with more urgency and intent having regained their advantage and the initiative. Madueke was lively throughout, winning an early penalty when he was quicker to the ball than the labouring Luke Modric. Kane, who now has a remarkable 81 goals in 115 internationals, saw an odd stuttering penalty saved - but won a reprieve when it was adjudged keeper Livakovic had strayed off his line. Kane was not passing up the second chance. England's performance had its flaws and it is too soon to get carried away – but future opponents will have viewed their attacking display with some trepidation. The context, however, is that too often England were founding wanting at the back. It might have to be a case of fighting fire with fire unless Tuchel can find a fix. England's win was also the product of positive thinking from Tuchel, who is clearly not going to try to end England's quest for a first men's success since the 1966 World Cup by