England are up and running at the World Cup after a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane among the standout performers on a memorable night for the Three Lions.

BBC Sport's Football Daily podcast brought together Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith alongside former goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who was present at the stadium and witnessed England's encouraging start to the tournament firsthand.

Much of the conversation centred on Bellingham, whose display drew widespread admiration. The midfielder had spoken candidly before the tournament about carrying a chip on his shoulder — and he delivered a performance that suggested those feelings had driven him to excel on the biggest stage in international football.

Kane, meanwhile, once again proved his worth as England's talisman when the pressure is highest. The captain contributed to the scoreline and reinforced why he remains the focal point of Gareth Southgate's attack at major tournaments.

A fan's dream come true

The podcast also welcomed a unique guest: Steve Bracknall, manager of Royal Oak Sunday League, who made the journey to attend an England World Cup match for the very first time in his life. Bracknall described the experience as the best day of his life — a sentiment that will resonate with supporters who have long dreamed of following their nation at a World Cup.

In a charming twist, Steve recounted how he soaked up the fan atmosphere and took in as much of the occasion as he could — from his bed. His account offered a warm, grassroots perspective on what it means for an everyday fan to witness England perform on the global stage.

Ronaldo still waiting

With Kane, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé all already on the scoresheet in the early stages of the tournament, the podcast turned its attention to Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still waiting to open his World Cup goal account. The discussion raised the question of why the Portugal captain has yet to find the net while his long-time rivals have wasted little time in making their marks.