England Thrash Opponents in Behind-Closed-Doors Friendly After Croatia Win

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England got their 2026 World Cup campaign off to a flying start on Wednesday afternoon as they defeated Croatia at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Three Lions twice took the lead in the first-half through Harry Kane, only to be pegged back on both occasions' courtesy of goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa.

Thomas Tuchel's side came flying out of the blocks following the halftime break and scored two unanswered goals in the second half to triumph 4-2.

A day later, England were in action again as they took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly at their training base in Kansas City.

With England not back in action again until Tuesday's clash with Ghana, Tuchel wanted to give his fringe players a run out.

And so, a day after their victory against Croatia, he set up a behind-closed-doors friendly against Major League Soccer side, Sporting Kansas City.

Players that played a significant chunk of the match against Croatia, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and John Stones, did not feature.

There were 13 players who took part in open training, which acted as a warm-up session for the friendly. These players then played two 25-minute matches against two separate KC sides.

Rogers, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence, who all came off the bench against Croatia, all featured against the MLS side.

The likes of Ivan Toney, Olie Watkins, Eberechi Eze, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jarell Quansah, James Trafford and Dean Henderson were also involved.

Trevoh Chalobah was not involved after recently replacing Tino Livramento in the squad. He missed out to give him a chance to acclimatise to his surroundings.

England ran out comfortable 5-1 victors, with Ivan Toney netting a hat-trick. The Al-Ahli star also netted a treble in a behind-closed-doors friendly ahead of the World Cup.

Aston Villa duo Rogers and Watkins also found themselves on the scoresheet.

England were fantastic in the second half against Croatia as they bombed forward at every opportunity. Tuchel says England fans can expect more of the same going forward.

He said, per the Guardian: “It is good. That is what needs to be done. Nobody can guarantee the outcome, but we can guarantee the effort.

“Can we expect more of that? Yes. It is good and it is rewarding. Hopefully everybody enjoyed it. And it brings a connection. I had a thought in the second half: ‘People in the pubs will like this.’

“I was sweating, but that is a good watch where we created and created and went for it and won another ball and then a second ball. That is why you are in a pub and watching together on a big screen to get emotional and hopefully we can transmit that.”

England are next in action on Tuesday, June 23, when they face Ghana. Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in their opening match.