Rashford Blew The Doors Off In 18 Minutes: Is Anthony Gordon's World Cup Spot Already Gone?

Holy smokes, did you catch the opening World Cup match against Croatia? The Emerald City was buzzing because England's attack went off! We're talking a wild 4-2 victory that had everyone talking from T-Mobile Park to Lumen Field. But while the excitement was off the charts, head coach Thomas Tuchel is staring down some serious questions after what we saw from his attacking subs. One guy, in particular, just made an undeniable case to be in the starting XI, and honestly, the other guy might already be in hot water. We bleed green and blue here, and when a player shows up like this early in the tournament, we notice!

Marcus Rashford's Explosive Cameo Changed Everything

Let's talk about Marcus Rashford, because his performance was electric! He came on as a substitute and absolutely lit up the field, netting the final goal in that wild 4-2 win against Croatia. He replaced Barcelona's new big-money buy, Anthony Gordon, and in just an 18-minute cameo, Rashford made it crystal clear he deserves to start. The energy, the sharp movement, the clinical finish, it was all there. You know we love to see a player step up big time early in a campaign, and Rashford delivered a statement. This isn't just a flash in the pan, either. Rashford was absolutely balling out during his loan spell at Barcelona in the 2025-26 domestic season. While he's still figuring out if Barcelona will actually keep him after negotiating with Manchester United, his form has been undeniably solid, and it showed on the biggest stage.

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Anthony Gordon's Struggles Are A Major Problem

Now, let's pivot to Anthony Gordon, and honestly, it's a rough read. He earned his place on the left flank with strong showings, excelling against New Zealand and contributing to a 3-0 triumph over Costa Rica in friendlies. Fair enough. But in the Croatia game? The dude was dead last on BBC Sport's player ratings, pulling in a measly 5.54 out of 10. That's a gut punch, and it's not going to cut it in a World Cup campaign. Especially when you consider Barcelona paid a whopping £69.3m to snap him up from Newcastle United. But here’s the kicker: Gordon has been seriously short on match action! His former coach, Eddie Howe, actually left him out of games towards the end of last season, clearly planning for the future after accepting Gordon was leaving. Former England striker Chris Sutton didn't mince words either, telling BBC Sport, "Gordon's form suffered towards the end of the season. He didn't play much for Newcastle and he doesn't seem quite up to speed." Sutton basically summed it up for all of us: "I'd go for Rashford. I think he deserves an opportunity." And honestly, who could argue with that? This feels like a no-brainer for Tuchel right now.

So, here we are, fans. England is heading to Boston to face Ghana on Tuesday, and Tuchel has a monumental decision on his hands. Does he stick with the struggling Gordon, or does he roll the dice and give Rashford the starting spot he clearly earned? This isn't just about one game; it's about setting the tone for the entire tournament. Rashford absolutely deserves an opportunity after his performance, and the whole world is watching to see if Tuchel makes the smart move and gives him the nod. We'll be watching every kick, you know it!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.