Harry Kane credits Thomas Tuchel for 'great' team talk after second-half response

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kane-harry/v5HSlEAa/"]Kane[/a] scored twice in the first half of a chaotic encounter in Texas, one a retaken penalty, only for 2018 runners-up [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a] to fight back to go in 2-2 at the break.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/croatia-K8aznggo/england-j9N9ZNFA/?mid=b5qGuKMs"]England started the second half with a bang[/a], Real Madrid midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bellingham-jude/QNvlPm7s/"]Jude Bellingham[/a] galloping down the wing before pinging the ball into the bottom corner.[/p][p]One of the favourites to win the tournament in North America, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] conjured up numerous chances after that through Kane, Bellingham and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/o-reilly-nico/xOrYaNWc/"]Nico O'Reilly[/a], before substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rashford-marcus/COnT2Lh0/"]Marcus Rashford[/a] wrapped up the three points.[/p][p]The victory showed England at their attacking best, but they were flimsy at the back, especially in the first half.[/p][embed guid="d1165cf2-4034-4aaa-9711-38444b6c9fad" url="https://x.com/England/status/2067379681280594425" social-type="twitter" /][p]Asked how they had pulled away after the break, Kane said of the coach Tuchel: [b]"He gave a great speech to be honest, especially the way we conceded that second goal just before half-time.[/b][/p][p][b]"He just told us to let the shackles off, calm down, what are we scared of? Let's just go.[/b][/p][p][b]"The way we conceded that second goal, it's not the team we want to be, dropping deep, waiting and conceding anyway.[/b][/p][p][b]"He kind of just said, what's the worst that can happen? We lose a match, first group game, we get on with it, we move on, let's just go and show the world who we can be.[/b][/p][p][b]"And I think we've done exactly that second half."[/b][/p][p]The German Tuchel, tasked with taking England to their first major trophy since 1966, said he thought his side were nervy and passive in the first half.[/p][p]Tuchel called the first 45 minutes "complicated".[/p][embed guid="3cd93c9a-429d-4809-b7de-d023458af9ae" url="https://x.com/England/status/2067373844759777488" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I felt a bit nervy,"[/b] he told ITV. [b]"The decisions we took were basically, we chose to go safe and play too many balls backwards.[/b][/p][p][b]"We struggled to find the rhythm, didn't have the confidence to go through the gaps and find the rhythm in some short passes and then the switch of play."[/b][/p][p]Tuchel was much happier after the break as England ran out ultimately fairly comfortable winners.[/p][p]"I love the reaction of the players into the second half, the second half was excellent," he said.[/p][p]"We deserved to win, but it was emotional, a lot of emotions involved and it took us a while to get going, but we did get going, and that's positive."[/p][infobox id="223b89ff-ddb8-4772-8cfb-8f89aea85267" /]