England's World Cup Week review: Tuchel's Three Lions entertain in statement win

Yet everyone knew the big test was still to come, and how England handled a tricky Croatia test would be far more telling about their World Cup hopes.

Despite a chaotic first half of the main event, however, England produced an exhilarating second-half display to beat Croatia, send a statement to their rivals, and confirm suspicions from the dress rehearsal that this side is the real deal and ready for the challenges that only begin when you kick off a major tournament.

England start week with positive win vs Costa Rica

Last week, England were playing their final warm-up match before their World Cup campaign got underway. It turned out to be a performance that exceeded expectations despite scepticism leading up to the game after an underwhelming performance against New Zealand. England pressed relentlessly against Costa Rica, had a swagger on the ball and created countless chances.

The 3-0 scoreline didn't tell the full story of the dominance on show by Tuchel's side, and the only disappointment was that they didn't win by a bigger margin. It was a classy performance from those who started the game and those who came off the bench in a sign of what was to come against Croatia. 

What was said before the Croatia game?

The message from Thomas Tuchel and his players before leaving for Kansas was clear: they want to turn doubters into believers and do something special this summer. Quite simply - they are here to win.

That message was reiterated in the days leading up to their World Cup opener against Croatia. There was no mincing of the words from Bukayo Saka, "When I look around in the team, I see the talent we have, the passion, the confidence.

"We have some real winners, some real leaders. With belief, I think we can go to the next step."

And when Tuchel was asked whether it was time to break the curse of foreign coaches at the World Cup (no foreign-born manager has won the World Cup before), his answer was unwavering in its conviction, "It is time to break this routine and show that it is possible."

And before the Costa Rica friendly, Tuchel admitted that whilst England weren't the favourites to win the World Cup, as a squad, they believe in their chances of success. 

"I have belief. We all have belief," he ​said. "We all have a dream, but it comes with responsibility and hard work and commitment and discipline, and sometimes it comes with disappointment and ​setbacks.

"This is all included, but we dare to dream and it's important."

The interesting thing about Tuchel's belief in himself and his players is that it contrasts starkly with the mood of England fans who heavily criticised some of the England manager's selection choices, arguing there is a lack of world-class talent in the squad. 

However, Tuchel is confident in his decisions, admitting his selection choices weren't a 'gamble' because whoever he left at home would have been scrutinised. One thing you can't deny is that Tuchel has a clear plan and won't let pressure from the media or supporters affect his decision-making.

He is his own man, and he will do things his way. As a player, you are either fully on board with it or you are out. It does feel more like Tuchel is building a club squad than selecting the 26 best English players. It is bold, and it is a gamble whether he admits or not, but the potential rewards are tantalising. 

How England turned first-half chaos into second-half dominance

After watching all the other pre-tournament favourites open their accounts, it was finally England's chance to show what they are all about on Thursday evening as they began their World Cup campaign in Dallas against Croatia. Despite all the promise from the Costa Rica game and the expectation that England might come out of the gates flying, the reality was significantly different. 

England looked like a team that had been watching all the big guns play and were suddenly feeling the pressure to deliver themselves. Some early nerves can be forgiven, though, and when Harry Kane fired England ahead from the penalty spot (on his second attempt), you fully expected England to settle down and start playing football. 

To the dismay of Tuchel and his coaching staff on the touchline, however, they did not. A chaotic first half ended 2-2 with both of England's goals coming from set pieces and the ever-reliable Kane.

But in between the two goals, England failed to find any rhythm or momentum. England's assistant head coach, Anthony Barry, made it clear in a half-time interview that it was not close to the level of performance demanded. 

"Overall, a complicated and confusing first half from us. I think a lot of nervous energy early on can be accepted and expected at an opening game at a World Cup.

"From there, we made some decisions where the energy was not free. Playing long when we should play short, playing short when we should play long. Not playing through the gaps and playing the game we want to.

"You thought the penalty would free us up, make us look more like ourselves but again we fell back into some fearful patterns."

Tuchel and Barry clearly want England to play without that fear. They want their side to play with freedom and attacking dominance, taking the game to the opposition. This isn't Southgate's England anymore, and the philosophy is no longer centred around protecting a lead but on extending it.

In the second half, the England players got the memo, and we saw a glimpse of exactly the type of team Tuchel wants his Three Lions to be. 

England wasted little time retaking the lead for a third time after a brilliant solo goal by Jude Bellingham. But it was the 15-to-20-minute period that followed Bellingham's goal that really stood out. England pressed for more, camping a tired Croatian side in their own half whilst playing some exhilarating attacking football.

As was the case against Costa Rica, England let themselves down in front of goal, but the sheer amount of chances created was astonishing. It felt as far away from a typical England performance as humanly possible. It was electric football, on par with anything seen at the World Cup so far. 

When England occasionally did lose possession, they won it back seconds later as their relentless high press suffocated Croatia. All concerns surrounding whether England could really trigger an effective press in the humidity of the United States were erased in a 45-minute statement display. 

After a slight lull after the electric start to the second half, England's subs re-energised their attacking efforts. Tuchel has spoken a lot about subs playing as important roles as starters, and he really proved why in Dallas.

Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford especially had impressive performances off the bench, with the latter showing world-class composure to put England 4-2 up and out of sight. It was a perfect example of how 'finishers' have a key role in the modern game as the role of substitutes continues to develop. 

What was said after Croatia win?

After the game, Kane summed it up perfectly by saying it was a game of two halves. The first half is a reminder of England's defensive vulnerabilities, and the second is an exciting glimpse into what this team is capable of. The England skipper also credited Tuchel for a half-time team talk that inspired England ahead of the second period. 

"He gave a great speech to be honest, especially the way we conceded that second goal just before half-time.

"He just told us to let the shackles off, calm down, what are we scared of? Let's just go.

"The way we conceded that second goal, it's not the team we want to be, dropping deep, waiting and conceding anyway.

"He kind of just said, ' What's the worst that can happen? We lose a match, first group game, we get on with it, we move on, let's just go and show the world who we can be. And I think we've done exactly that second half."

Having a coach who can help with the mental battle for a team scarred from past heartbreaks with inspiring team talks and taking a little bit of pressure off could make all the difference when it comes to the business end of the tournament.

When you hear the way his players talk about him, it is glaringly obvious they respect Tuchel, have bought into his plan and believe they can do something special.

Analysis - Underestimate Tuchel's England at your peril

England's enthralling second-half performance in Dallas sent a message to critics who were quick to write off their chances of having a successful World Cup and of Tuchel's credentials as the right man to lead England to glory.

It is still early to know if he is the right man and if this 'rock n roll' style of football is sustainable and effective against better teams. However, the signs are encouraging and England under Tuchel are actually exciting. There is something to be said about England finally being a side their rivals fear and neutral fans applaud. 

It was just 45 minutes against an ageing Croatia side, but if England can sustain the level shown in Dallas, then they won't be a side many countries want to come up against. If Wednesday's relentless attacking football proves to be just the start for this new look England, then England fans 'daring to dream' might just reach fever pitch sooner rather than later.

One thing is for sure: Tuchel's England won't be dull to watch, and if they do go far, then expect plenty of fireworks along the way.