England secured a brilliant 4-2 win over Croatia in their first World Cup outing of the campaign, but Wayne Rooney has criticised Chelsea defender Reece James.
A brace from Harry Kane and goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford set England on their way. With third place in the four-nation groups qualifying for the knockouts, England are pretty much through.
How would you rate Reece James’ display against Croatia 1️⃣-🔟?
There were some excellent performances. Kane and Bellingham almost go without saying, while Elliot Anderson was everywhere in midfield. At right-back, Reece James impressed in his first World Cup game.
James missed out on the squad in 2022 and now in 2026, started England’s first game of the tournament. He was excellent, but Wayne Rooney noticed something he did that led to one of Croatia’s two goals.
Wayne Rooney accuses Reece James of a lapse in concentration
The win has encouraged England fans over the appointment of Thomas Tuchel. For once, at a major finals, England showed attacking prowess and intensity, which was the criticism of Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
But England did concede two goals. The first, a stunner netted by Como’s Martin Baturina before Petar Musa made it 2-2 just before the break. On BBC Sport, Rooney blamed James for Croatia’s second goal.
“It’s just a little bit of concentration. It’s a big moment this as it gets Croatia back in the game. England get themselves into a good shape, but if you look at Reece James, he looks at Perisic over his shoulder.”
Rooney continued in his analysis of Croatia’s second: “He knows he’s there, he takes a little backwards step so Perisic is now his man, he sees him again and tries to get his arm across him [as he makes his run].
“Then he’s facing the wrong way [when Perisic wins the header] and then it’s too late. That little lapse in concentration against good teams at the World Cup can cost you,” Rooney added, blaming James.
Does Reece James retain his place against Ghana next Tuesday?
With third place going into the round of 32, England have pretty much qualified. Ghana too, after they secured a late 1-0 win against Panama. Now, they take on a Ghana side that boast some proper players.
Reece James as a central midfielder or a right-back under Xabi Alonso?👀
The million pound question!
Antoine Semenyo leads the cast of Ghanaian stars looking to cause England an issue. So, does Reece James retain his spot in the side, even after England lost Tino Livramento and Trevoh Chalobah comes in?
Joe Cole thinks James will struggle to play every game, possibly eight if England get to the final, in such a short space of time. Harry Maguire thinks that if a rest is required, Tuchel will rest James in the next two.
Ultimately, England are now expected to go through and when it comes to the most-important games at the World Cup – or the knockout rounds – James will be in the starting line-up, judging by the 4-2 win.
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