FOXBOROUGH (United States) — Declan Rice said England should not fear anyone in their quest to end a 60-year wait for World Cup glory after setting the “benchmark” with a dominant opening victory over Croatia.
Despite some defensive issues, the Three Lions stormed to a 4-2 win in Dallas over a Croatia side that reached the semifinals and final of the last two World Cups.
Captain Harry Kane and influential midfielder Jude Bellingham both netted to get their tournaments off to a flying start, while Marcus Rashford’s goalscoring cameo off the bench underlined England’s strength in depth.
“We know as players the level, we know what’s required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level,” Rice told a press conference ahead of England’s second World Cup match against Ghana on Tuesday.
“We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.
“We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch,” he added according to AFP.
Rice’s performance was one of the few worries for Thomas Tuchel from an impressive start.
The Arsenal midfielder, who was instrumental in winning the Gunners’ first Premier League title for 22 years this season, was replaced in the second half in his 63rd match of the campaign for club and country.
However, Rice dismissed suggestions he is running out of steam just as the World Cup gets going.
