Jordan Pickford recorded his 15th international clean sheet as England made a winning start to a European Championship finals for the first time.

Raheem Sterling strode onto a pass from Kalvin Phillips to score the only goal of the game against Croatia at Wembley.

Goalkeeper Pickford's Everton colleague Dominic Calvert-Lewin came off the bench during stoppage time to claim a 10th England cap, only eight months after the striker's senior national team debut.

Gareth Southgate's side began quickly, Phil Foden smacking the upright with a low shot and Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic repelling Phillips' volleyed drive through a crowded penalty box.

Croatia steadily gained a foothold without threatening Pickford's goal, a skied effort from Ivan Perisic all the away team offered on an attacking front in the opening half.

England grabbed the decisive goal when the excellent Phillips from Leeds United skipped past two Croatian challenges and fed a pass into Sterling's penalty-box run.

The Manchester City forward opted for power over placement and his strike was too hot for Dinamo Zagreb player Livakovic, who got a hand to the ball on its way into the net.

Pickford, who used the ball very well, was barely troubled. He was alert to tidy up after Kieran Trippier undercooked a back header and saved comfortably when Perisic skimmed a shot from 20 yards.

Former Everton player Nikola Vlasic tried to pick out fellow substitute Bruno Petkovic with a header in the penalty area late in the game but Pickford, who was making a 32nd England appearance, scurried across to intervene.

England had opportunities to double their advantage, not least when Sterling miscued from a promising position. Mason Mount clipped the top of the net with a free-kick from 22 yards.

Manager Southgate was canny with his use of substitutes to close out the game and Calvert-Lewin was third man on when he replaced Sterling for the final three minutes.

Scotland meet Czech Republic at Hampden Park on Monday in Group D's second fixture.

England return to action when the Scots visit Wembley on Friday and finish their group campaign at the national stadium against Czech Republic on Tuesday 22 June.