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Today’s Brief

Kyiv, Ceuta and Europe’s dry summer

Russia hits Kyiv as Ceuta’s toll reaches 67 and Europe’s rivers fall

The evening’s pressure points are physical. Ukraine’s air defences missed most ballistic missiles in a large Russian barrage. At Europe’s southern border, the human toll from Ceuta’s mass crossing reached 67. Drought is now constraining both electricity generation and Rhine shipping.

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  • Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore dies

    Dies at age 80 in his Bronx home, where he was found deceased on Saturday after several days without contact.

  • Tourist plane crash near Peru's Nazca Lines

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World · Updated 17m ago

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The Middle East after Gaza

A tanker was disabled by a projectile off Oman, and a second vessel reported an explosion nearby, causing Strait of Hormuz traffic to collapse by 77%.

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© ANSA.it
Football·Jun 17

Tuchel's halftime spark ignites England as Three Lions roar past Croatia 4-2 in World Cup opener

Thomas Tuchel's debut as England manager produced a 4-2 win over Croatia after a halftime speech urged his players to shed their inhibitions. The match at AT&T Stadium also saw the German coach plead with FIFA to reposition photographers who blocked his view of the national anthem.

Match overview

England began their 2026 World Cup with a helter-skelter 4-2 defeat of Croatia in Group L at AT&T Stadium. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a retake in the 8th minute, but Martin Baturina's long-range effort levelled the match in the 35th. Kane restored the lead with a header from a Declan Rice corner just before the break, only for Petar Musa to bundle home an equaliser deep in stoppage time. Jude Bellingham put England ahead for good with a driving run and finish two minutes into the second half, and substitute Marcus Rashford settled the contest in the 85th after a flowing counter-attack. England's 22 shots, three-quarters of them after the interval, underscored the shift between the periods.

Tuchel's halftime intervention

Faced with a 2-2 scoreline at the break, Thomas Tuchel used the interval to urge his players to play without inhibition. Captain Harry Kane relayed the message:

He told us to take the shackles off, calm down and go. What's the worst that can happen?

— Harry Kane
Assistant Anthony Barry later admitted the first half saw a return to "fearful patterns," a phrase widely interpreted as a critique of the conservative habits from the Gareth Southgate era. Tuchel told his team they would "do it our way" even in defeat, and the effect was instant. England pressed higher, created seven clear chances in the 15 minutes after the restart, and Bellingham's goal came before Croatia could settle.

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Photographer frustration

Despite the victory, Tuchel was visibly annoyed by the placement of around 50 photographers directly in front of the dugout during the pre-match national anthem. "I'm begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers, because I could not see my team (during) the national anthem, and I was waiting for this moment," he said.

It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of 50 photographers half a metre away and I could not see one single player. It ruined a little bit my experience today.

— Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel and his staff resorted to watching the players on the stadium's giant screen.

England vs Croatia: Key match events
  1. Jun 18, 20268th minute: Harry Kane converts retaken penalty (1-0)
  2. 35th minute: Martin Baturina equalises with long-range strike (1-1)
  3. 42nd minute: Kane heads England back ahead from corner (2-1)
  4. 45+5th minute: Petar Musa bundles in Croatia's second equaliser (2-2)
  5. Half-time: Thomas Tuchel tells players to take the shackles off
  6. 47th minute: Jude Bellingham scores decisive third goal (3-2)
  7. 85th minute: Marcus Rashford secures win after counterattack (4-2)

A break from the past

England's second half was immediately seized upon as a departure from the cautious style of previous tournaments. The Guardian described the team as having burnt an effigy of everything they used to be. Tuchel himself later said he wanted to transmit emotion and connection to fans at home.

I had a thought in the second half: 'People in the pubs will like this.'

— Thomas Tuchel
The approach generated sustained pressure and a sense of liberation, with Jude Bellingham visibly moved when supporters sang "Hey Jude" after the final whistle.

For me personally, it was nice to put some of the noise aside and just show my country and my team-mates how committed I am to help us try to win football matches.

— Jude Bellingham

Next steps and squad depth

England's Group L campaign continues against Ghana on Tuesday and Panama four days later. Those fixtures, on paper less challenging, give Tuchel room to rotate. There is an injury concern over midfielder Declan Rice, but the manager's obsession with squad brotherhood was vindicated by the fourth goal, which was made by three substitutes (Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Djed Spence) and finished by Rashford. The result provided early validation for Tuchel's aggressive philosophy and ignited hope that England can mount a deep run.

Arlington
Thomas TuchelHarry KaneJude BellinghamMarcus RashfordAnthony BarryGareth Southgate
ParisMexicoLionel MessiBostonDallas

8 sources

  • Tuchel rues photographers blocking his view during England national anthem
    Reuters·Jun 18
  • Unshackled England answer Tuchel's call, set sights on World Cup charge
    Reuters·Jun 18
  • England coach Tuchel asks FIFA to move photographers so he can see team during national anthem
    AP NEWS·Jun 18
  • Mondiali: anche Kane alla festa del gol, l'Inghilterra stende la Croazia - Sport
    ANSA.it·Jun 18
  • England finally exorcise the Southgate era and unleash fun football | Barney Ronay
    The Guardian·Jun 18
  • How Thomas Tuchel inspired England to throw off nerves of Gareth Southgate era
    The Independent·Jun 18
  • Super subs: how England's bench applies a crucial finishing touch
    The Guardian·Jun 18
  • 'People in the pubs will like this': Tuchel keen for England to entertain at World Cup
    The Guardian·Jun 18

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