Croatia 0-7 England: Kane and Saka score twice in Nations League thrashing
England produced one of the most complete and ruthless performances of the Thomas Tuchel era as they dismantled Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka, inflicting the heaviest defeat in the hosts’ history and sealing a statement victory in the UEFA Nations League.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers completed the rout in front of a sparse crowd of schoolchildren at Stadion HNK Rijeka. England led 4-0 at the break and never looked back, dominating possession, territory and every key statistic in a one-sided contest that underlined the gulf between the sides.
The tone was set after just eight minutes. Joško Gvardiol’s misplaced pass was intercepted, Bellingham slipped a precise ball in behind the defence and Kane took a deft touch before slamming a clinical finish high into the roof of the net. England’s high press and slick combination play left Croatia chasing shadows, and the second goal arrived in the 21st minute. Saka’s deep cross from the right was controlled with exquisite skill by Gordon, who spun and cut the ball back for Bellingham to poke home from close range.
Gordon then scored himself six minutes before the interval, stooping to head in Jarell Quansah’s inviting right-wing cross at the near post. On the stroke of half-time Saka made it four, arriving unmarked in the six-yard box to side-foot home after more intricate work from Bellingham. Croatia’s only notable moment of the half was a glaring miss by Mateo Kovačić, who somehow failed to convert an open goal.
Any hope of a Croatian revival evaporated early in the second half. Elliot Anderson won possession and drove down the right before delivering a low cross that Kane slid in at the far post for his second of the night in the 53rd minute. The fifth goal completed a slick team move and left Croatia’s defence in tatters. Saka doubled his tally midway through the half after another defensive error, capitalising on a wayward pass across the box and finishing calmly after a one-two with Kane.
Rogers, introduced from the bench, applied the final flourish three minutes from time. Bellingham’s simple long pass released the Aston Villa forward, who rounded Dominik Livaković and rolled the ball into the empty net to make it seven. Bellingham finished with a goal and three assists, underlining his complete midfield display.
England controlled 64 per cent of possession, registered 19 shots to Croatia’s 12 and created 11 big chances. Jordan Pickford was barely tested as the Three Lions kept a clean sheet against a side that has reached a World Cup final and semi-final in the past decade. Kane’s brace took his England tally to 89 goals, while the result eclipsed previous heavy home defeats for Croatia and ranked among England’s most emphatic away wins in modern times.
Tuchel’s side now turn their attention to Tuesday’s home fixture against the Czech Republic at Wembley, where Kane is set to equal Peter Shilton’s all-time appearance record. For Croatia and coach Slaven Bilić, the evening will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.
