Adam Lallana knows better than anyone the weight of a failed start in a major international competition — and he does not hesitate to sound the alarm: England must not falter against Croatia today in the highly anticipated opening match of the World Cup. The former England international, who experienced two inglorious starts for England in final stages, has no doubts: “It is absolutely vital to win the first game.” The warning is clear and carries the weight of two traumatic experiences that still weigh on his memory.
The stage is set in Arlington, United States, where the English national team, now under the management of Thomas Tuchel, takes to the field against the ever-unpredictable Croatia. For Lallana, the lesson has been learned the hard way: in 2014, in the sweltering heat of the Amazon, England fell to Italy, and four years later, in Marseille, they allowed a late equalizer against modest Russia in the 2016 European Championship. The result? Two devastated campaigns from the outset, ending in humiliating eliminations — the last of which was against Iceland, a genuine small nation of 330,000 inhabitants, who turned the game around after an early goal from the English.
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The importance of the opening game is, therefore, a central theme in Lallana’s words, who has accumulated 34 international caps and three goals for the national team, standing out for his versatility as an attacking midfielder and winger. “It’s about gaining some momentum,” he explained in an exclusive interview with Standard Sport. “That’s what we achieved in Russia against Tunisia, and then when we beat Panama. I agree that it’s crucial to gain rhythm right from the start. We need to score early, give our striker confidence, and get the players firing.”
The former Liverpool player does not hide his admiration for tonight’s opponent, highlighting Luka Modric’s role: “It’s going to be tough. Modric will be out there — the old wizard. It’s crucial to win this first game. Absolutely crucial.” Lallana insists that the group knows what is at stake, and that only a victory can fuel the legitimate aspirations of the English in a World Cup with so many title contenders.
Versatility, Lallana believes, could be one of England’s strengths. “Being versatile is always useful,” he emphasized. “Having 26 players allows England to have various options for each position. It’s no longer necessary for the number 10 to play as much on the left as on the right, unlike in a 23-man squad, where you had to be more strategic.”
As for the favorites for the final victory, Lallana did not hesitate: “I think Argentina, trying to win twice in a row and playing in the United States, is the favorite. I also think France will always be among the top contenders. England is an outsider, but that’s not always a bad thing.”
The kickoff against Croatia thus represents more than just three points: it’s a matter of assertion, confidence, and avoiding the ghosts of the past that continue to haunt English football. A victory could be the perfect tonic to galvanize the team and the fans, propelling the national team into the later stages of the competition and banishing the specter of previous disappointments once and for all. On the other hand, a slip could reignite doubts, increase media pressure, and complicate the qualification calculations.
This is therefore a litmus test for Thomas Tuchel and his men, who know that there is no room for error. The result of this opening match could determine not only the immediate future of the English team in the World Cup but also the narrative of a generation that wants, at last, to restore glory to England on the most demanding stage of world football.
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