England’s best version yet under Tuchel and Kane’s leadership

England’s 4-2 win over Croatia on Tuesday was one of the most eventful matches of the World Cup so far, but the defining image came at the final whistle, with Harry Kane exhausted as the English crowd roared. The team’s success was not only about sharp attacking football, but also about relentless work rate, pressing Croatia throughout and winning the match with effort as much as quality.

The article credits Gareth Southgate with transforming England from a side of skeptics into one that believes it can compete at the highest level, something the writer says did not exist under Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello or Steve McClaren. But it also argues that Southgate’s approach was too conservative, limiting England creatively despite giving the squad a stronger identity and mentality.

Thomas Tuchel is presented as the man who changed that dynamic. Against Croatia, England moved more, looked livelier and were far more proactive than in the Southgate era. The writer says the team created many chances and only a huge performance from Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic prevented England from repeating the 6-2 win over Iran from the previous World Cup.

Kane was the centerpiece, not only because of his two goals, but because he is being redefined as the team’s leader and captain. He scored one penalty after a missed spot kick had already been ruled out, then added a sharp header. He also made a crucial stoppage-time save with his body, which the writer saw as even more important than the brace. Kane became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer and matched Gary Lineker, and the piece says his example, not just his finishing, now carries England’s hopes. The article concludes that while no one can yet say whether “it’s coming home,” this was England’s best version in many years.