Former Arsenal and England star Ian Wright praised Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as pivotal players during England's impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia in their World Cup opener on [insert date].

Wright expressed his delight at the "brilliant" performance and attacking style displayed by the Three Lions, which earned them crucial points in what many consider the toughest match in their group.

• Kane scored twice, showcasing his striking prowess.
• Bellingham netted a vital goal, restoring England’s lead after Croatia had equalized twice.

In his post-match analysis on ITV, Wright emphasized the significance of Kane and Bellingham's contributions, noting their potential to elevate England's performance in tougher matches ahead. He stated, "What we saw tonight is they both (Kane and Bellingham) stepped up and I’m sure when the games get tougher they will do that again."

Wright highlighted the need to focus the team's efforts on these two players, affirming, "We’ve got to make sure we are funnelling it into those two because they will deliver."

Despite Croatia’s experienced side, Wright felt England managed the game comfortably, adding, "It was brilliant."

Other players who impressed included Declan Rice and Noni Madueke, while full-backs Reece James and Nico O’Reilly showed promise. However, the defense faced criticism for allowing Croatia's goals, particularly the first, which was a remarkable finish. The impact of substitutes like Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka also provided positive depth for coach Thomas Tuchel, although some players like Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson were noted as needing to contribute more.