Ruthless England inflict Croatia’s heaviest defeat to strengthen Nations League bid
Harry Kane became the first England player in 78 years to score in six consecutive away internationals as his double helped Thomas Tuchel’s side demolish Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka.
Bukayo Saka also scored twice, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers completing a remarkable victory that strengthened England’s position in the top two of UEFA Nations League Group A3.
The fixture was nominally being played behind closed doors as punishment for crowd disturbances during Croatia’s 2024/25 Nations League play-off campaign. However, the hosts admitted 6,000 children under UEFA’s regulations, providing a lively backdrop at HNK Rijeka Stadium.
Match highlight
It was the small contingent of around 100 England supporters who were celebrating after eight minutes. Given far too much room, Kane controlled Bellingham’s pass expertly before driving a powerful finish into the top corner.
England quickly extended their advantage, with Bellingham turning scorer after Gordon brought down Saka’s lofted pass and supplied the Real Madrid midfielder for a finish past Dominik Livakovic at the near post.
Gordon remained a constant threat and added the third himself, heading home Jarell Quansah’s inviting delivery. The recalled Bayer Leverkusen defender rewarded Tuchel’s selection as England continued to expose the hosts’ defensive weaknesses.
A fourth followed before the interval when Saka escaped his marker inside the penalty area and tapped in Bellingham’s low cross.
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic made three changes at half-time, but they did little to alter the pattern.
Eight minutes after the restart, Kane met Elliot Anderson’s driven low delivery and finished into the far corner, making England the first visiting team to score five goals against Croatia.
The punishment continued when Josip Stanisic surrendered possession with a careless pass. Saka seized the opportunity, exchanged passes with Kane and finished to claim his second goal and England’s sixth.
There was still time for Rogers to join the scoring. Running onto a long ball, he calmly rounded Livakovic and slotted home to complete Croatia’s heaviest defeat in international football.
For England, the result provided an emphatic statement of intent after their earlier loss to Spain.
Tuchel’s team temporarily moved level on points with the group leaders and, crucially, opened a three-point advantage over Croatia in the battle for a top-two finish.
