England have got off to a winning start at Euro 2020 through Raheem Sterling, with Kalvin Phillips putting in a superb performance in midfield for the home side.
Gareth Southgate and co. will be delighted with three points that allows them to manage the rest of the group having picked up knocks to the likes of Harry Kane and John Stones.
England started brightly, with the majority of the 22,500 in attendance rising to feet when Phil Foden in particular received the ball. It was he who took the ball nicely and struck the base of the post in the opening minutes.
Phillips played well, partnering Declan Rice and playing much further ahead than the West Ham captain. He caught a dropping ball sweetly from 18 yards out, with Croatia's goalkeeper Livakovic having to parry.
The heat appeared to take its toll on the rhythym of the match, as Croatia began to get a foot on the ball going into half-time, most likely aware that England would aim to start strong in front of a home crowd.
Kalvin Phillips
The soporific speed of play continued into the first 15 minutes of the second half, until an inspired piece of play from Phillips set up Raheem Sterling for England's opener.
A mazy run and a perfectly-weighted ball in front of Sterling saw the Manchester City forward put to one side a mediocre club season to slide the ball under Livakovic.
Croatia looked a shadow of the assured, wily side that England faced in Russia in July 2018, with Luka Modric struggling to dictate the tempo in a way to which fans have become accustomed.
Kane missed a close-range shot at the back post, colliding with the post with his ribcage in the process. In replacing Kane, Jude Bellingham made Euros history in becoming the youngest player to feature in the tournament at 17 years and 349 days.
All in all, a satisfying day for any England fans out there.
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