RIJEKA - England produced one of their most emphatic performances of the Nations League campaign, overwhelming Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka as Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each to underline the visitors’ attacking strength. Jude Bellingham was at the heart of England’s outstanding display, scoring once and providing three assists as Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated Croatia from the opening whistle. Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers were also on target in a result captain Kane described as “unbelievable”.
The victory lifted England to six points from three matches in League A, Group Three, leaving them second behind Spain, who maintained their perfect record with a 3-1 home victory over the Czech Republic. Croatia remain on three points, while the Czechs are still without a point.
England needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock. Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol lost possession, allowing Bellingham to release Kane, who surged between two defenders before calmly firing into the net. Bellingham doubled the advantage in the 21st minute when Gordon turned Saka’s cross back across the face of goal for the midfielder to finish. Gordon then made it 3-0 in the 39th minute, meeting Jarell Quansah’s cross with a first-time strike. Croatia briefly threatened when Mateo Kovacic missed a close-range opportunity, but England immediately restored control. Bellingham delivered another precise cross shortly before halftime, leaving Saka unmarked to head home and give the visitors a commanding 4-0 lead.
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Kane completed his brace eight minutes after the restart, converting Elliot Anderson’s low delivery. Saka added England’s sixth in the 68th minute after Josip Stanisic’s misplaced pass across his own penalty area presented the Arsenal winger with an easy opportunity. Bellingham capped his superb performance late on, sending Rogers through to complete the seven-goal rout three minutes from time. Meanwhile, Spain preserved their 100 per cent record in Oviedo despite making nine changes. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring with a superb curling finish before Rodri doubled the lead. Jiri Slama briefly reduced the deficit, but Mikel Merino sealed Spain’s victory late on after the Czech Republic were reduced to 10 men. In League B, Scotland defeated North Macedonia 2-0, while Switzerland recovered from an early setback to beat Slovenia 2-1.
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