Dalić critical of Croatia's second-half display after England defeat

Croatia's 2026 World Cup campaign began with a 4-2 defeat to England in Dallas, a match marked by a dramatic turnaround in the second half. Coach Zlatko Dalić did not shy away from criticizing his team's performance, especially after the break.

"We played very poorly in the second half, especially at the start," Dalić stated. "In the first half, we were positioned well, but unfortunately, we didn't handle some things correctly. After the third and fourth goals, it was difficult to get back into the game."

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We played very poorly in the second half, especially at the start. In the first half, we were positioned well, but unfortunately, some things we didn't handle correctly. After the third and fourth goals, it was difficult to get back into the game.

Dalić highlighted the team's weak reactions, particularly to deep passes, as a key factor in conceding the crucial goals. "I can't comment now on what happened with the third and fourth goals; we reacted poorly, especially to deep balls. That's it," he concluded.

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I can't comment now on what happened with the third and fourth goals; we reacted poorly, especially to deep balls. That's it.

England's coach Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, was pleased with his team's response. "A difficult game against a tough opponent. We struggled in the first half. We had a brilliant reaction in the second half with many chances, we had a lot of energy, and that's exactly what we wanted. We had to get the nervousness out of our system, and in the second half, we looked how we wanted."

The match saw England take an early lead through a Harry Kane penalty in the 12th minute. Croatia equalized in the 36th minute with a goal from Martin Baturina, assisted by Petar Sučić. England regained the lead before halftime with another Kane goal in the 42nd minute. However, Croatia managed to level the score at 2-2 in first-half stoppage time with a goal from Petar Musa, assisted by Ivan Perišić. The momentum shifted decisively in the second half, with Jude Bellingham putting England back in front in the 47th minute, and Marcus Rashford sealing the victory in the 86th minute.

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A difficult game against a tough opponent. We struggled in the first half. We had a brilliant reaction in the second half with many chances, we had a lot of energy, and that's exactly what we wanted. We had to get the nervousness out of our system, and in the second half, we looked how we wanted.