England started their World Cup run with an impressive 4-2 win over Croatia, their biggest rivals in Group L. Thomas Tuchel’s team caught the eye with their offensive movement, a clear improvement when compared to their World Cup qualifiers. But not everyone was impressed with their game.
Why Shannon Sharpe Pumped the Brakes on England’s Opening World Cup Win
England came close to winning a title during Gareth Southgate’s era, but they couldn’t get the job done on the biggest stages. Hiring Tuchel, one of the best managers in the world, was supposed to give them an extra gear in major tournaments. And the win against Croatia was a step in the right direction.
Shannon Sharpe, however, thinks that this was nothing out of the ordinary for the nation. Speaking on his show, “Nightcap,” with Chad Ochocinco and Joe Johnson, Shannon stated that it was a “normal” win for England while also praising Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi for his three-goal performance against Algeria.
“England did what they’re supposed to do. It wasn’t like they played France, it wasn’t like Argentina or Portugal. They didn’t play one of those teams. We know what Harry Kane is, he’s a phenomenal player. But I think Cape Verde was equally impressive, considering what I saw last night with Messi, the hat trick… if Messi comes at your mouth, you better have G-O-A-T at the end of it,” Sharpe said.
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Harry Kane is expected to be one of the stars of the tournament, and his excellent performance in the first game solidifies his position as one of the contenders for the Golden Boot. He scored England’s first two goals and could’ve done more if not for a great performance from Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
There are, however, reasons to be impressed by England’s win. Croatia made the tournament final in 2018, and in 2022, they made it to the semifinals, beating five-time champion Brazil in the process. Even though superstar Luka Modric is close to retirement, they remain a strong team.
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England’s next two games are expected to be much easier, with Ghana and Panama coming, and anything short of two wins would be a disappointment, even if they rest starters in the third game. If they win the group, they’ll face a team qualified as one of the best third-place finishers.
Ultimately, England will be judged by how they do in the knockout phase. But it was a good start for Tuchel’s team in his first World Cup. The nation hasn’t won the World Cup since 1966.
