Raheem Sterling's solitary strike gifted England three points against Croatia, as Jude Bellingham made history at the European Championship on Sunday.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate raised eyebrows, after leaving both Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell on the bench as Keiran Tripper started at left-back, while Croatia named an experienced side led by skipper Luka Modric.
The hosts almost had a dream start in the sixth minute after Foden received a pass from Raheem Sterling before cutting inside to rattle the upright from close range.
Phillips also came close to getting the opener for England three minutes later with a low volley from just outside the box that was parried away by shot-stopper Dominik Livakovic.
The Chequered Ones were settling in the game midway through the first stanza, with the hosts' pressure waning but they lacked the penetration upfront and Southgate's charges had good chance to break the deadlock from a free-kick on the edge of the box but Kieran Trippier's effort hit the wall.
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Croatia came out of their defensive shell in the early stages of the second stanza and were punished just before the hour-mark after Sterling went through on goal from Phillips' pass and fired a strike past Livakovic,
Zlatko Dalic made a double change 20 minutes before time, with attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic replacing the more defensive Marcelo Brozovic in midfield while Josip Brekalo came on for Andrej Kramaric for fresh legs upfront.
Southgate also made a change in the same moment, bringing on Marcus Rashford in place of Foden for fresh legs upfront while Jude replaced Harry Kane to become the youngest player to feature at a European Championship.
England were able to see out the latter stages to hold on for three points ahead of their next clash against Scotland.
