England produced one of their most emphatic performances under Thomas Tuchel, dismantling Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday. The Three Lions were in complete control from the opening whistle, with Harry Kane opening the scoring after just eight minutes before Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka added further goals to give England a stunning 4-0 lead at half-time.
Kane struck again eight minutes after the restart to complete his brace before Saka added his second of the night in the 68th minute. Substitute Morgan Rogers then completed the rout three minutes from time as England recorded their biggest-ever victory over Croatia. The result also handed Croatia their heaviest defeat in history, while England registered a record UEFA Nations League victory in Rijeka.
Kane’s double took his England tally to 89 goals in 124 appearances, moving him within one cap of equalling Peter Shilton’s record as England’s most-capped player. He is set to draw level with Shilton if he features against the Czech Republic.
Bellingham was equally influential, scoring once and providing three assists as England’s attacking players repeatedly exposed Croatia’s defence. Gordon also scored and contributed an assist, while Saka’s brace capped another outstanding performance on the right flank.
England dominated possession and created chance after chance, with their intensity and pressing overwhelming a Croatia side led by 41-year-old Luka Modrić.
The victory gives England six points from their first three matches in Nations League Group A3, leaving them level with Spain, although Spain have a game in hand.
For Tuchel, the emphatic victory represents a major statement from an England side that is beginning to combine its attacking firepower with the intensity and control the German coach has demanded.
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