Zlatko Dalic knows Croatia have no margin for error at the World Cup after their 4-2 defeat to England, noting their “disastrous” set-piece defending was a major factor in the result.
The Three Lions got up and running in Group L with a thrilling victory over the side that ended their run in the semi-finals in Russia eight years ago.
It was level at half-time, after Croatia twice recovered from Harry Kane goals, via a powerful finish from Martin Baturina and a stoppage-time effort from Petar Musa.
But England restored their lead through Jude Bellingham only 85 seconds into the second half and penned their opponents back with a relentless attacking display.
Thomas Tuchel’s men had 13 shots, nine of which hit the target, and accumulated 1.83 expected goals after the interval, with Croatia only mustering six attempts (three on target) and 0.33 xG.
Croatia are at least used to being in this position, having lost their opening game at four of their last six World Cups (W1 D1), recovering to make the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022 – since 2002, only Australia have as many matchday one defeats.
But with a meeting with Panama to come next week, before they round out the group stage versus Ghana, Dalic knows Croatia are already under major pressure.
“It’s not easy to lose. You lose your self-confidence, and that’s not good,” Dalic said. “We must prepare well for the next two games in the first stage.
“It’s very important for us to be at the right level after this defeat. We do not have the right to any more mistakes.
“I wouldn’t say that this was a bad match. There were some errors we committed, some mistakes we made. We were punished by our opponents. Two matches are ahead of us, new beginnings.”
11 – England had 11 shots on target tonight against Croatia, their most in a FIFA World Cup match since 1998 against Colombia (13).
Intent. pic.twitter.com/TmZsadi0Zi
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 17, 2026
Both of England’s first-half goals were the result of set-pieces, with Kane’s first being a retaken penalty after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke from a corner, before the Three Lions’ striker nodded Declan Rice’s dead-ball delivery home to make it 2-1.
“We used to be quite good at set-pieces. We didn’t concede goals that easily, and we practised for this opponent. We knew the way England were going to play,” Dalic lamented.
“It was disastrous, specifically when it comes to a team like England. About 40% of their goals are from set pieces. We must correct it and must avoid similar mistakes in the future.”
The Opta supercomputer now assigns England a 91% chance of winning Group L, which they could do with a game to spare if they beat Ghana and Croatia avoid defeat to Panama. Croatia, meanwhile, finish top in 3% of simulations, second in 50% and third in 32%.
It was England’s first World Cup win against a side in the top 15 of the FIFA World Rankings (Croatia are 11th) since they overcame Argentina (third) in 2002, snapping a nine-game winless run (D2 L7) and six-game losing run against such sides at the finals.
They had looked dangerous in attack during the first half without displaying the same level of control as they had in the second period, and Tuchel revealed his half-time team talk focused on a need for greater intensity.
“I wanted them to do it our way, be brave, courageous, intense and on the front foot and just go for it,” Tuchel said.
“Just be active. I encouraged them with words which were short and calm. That was the main message, to encourage them and tell them that we trusted them.
“It is a big opponent and a top 10 team in the world. We wanted to prove a point and it was quite emotional.”
