Thomas Tuchel is acutely aware that the painful, heavily criticised semi‑final loss to Argentina at the World Cup will continue to loom over him and his squad long after the tournament ends, possibly extending its shadow all the way to the Euro 2028 campaign and beyond. Yet the emphatic 7‑0 victory over Croatia on Saturday in Rijeka offered a powerful reminder that his England project can still deliver spectacular performances and reignite belief among supporters. The margin of victory was historic for the host nation. Croatia, a side that once boasted world‑class squads, suffered its heaviest defeat ever, conceding more than four goals away from home for the first time in its history.
While the Nations League does not carry the same weight as the World Cup and the Croatian team on the day was an aging version of its former glories, the result still mattered. England’s "complete" display – a phrase echoed by the manager, the players and pundits alike – provided a much‑needed boost to the narrative surrounding Tuchel’s tenure.
Previous matches had left a mixed picture. The encouraging moments against Spain were marred by defensive lapses and a noticeable quality gap, while the win over the Czech Republic was somewhat tainted by a first‑half dismissal. In contrast, the Croatia game was decisive and unambiguous.
The attacking quartet fired on all cylinders, delivering relentless pressure and clinical finishing. In midfield, Elliot Anderson and debutant Alex Scott commanded the central area, out‑muscling their more experienced Croatian counterparts. Even a spectacular miss from Mateo Kovačić at the 3‑0 mark could not change the overall narrative; Croatia were reduced to a few isolated attempts while England’s full‑backs spent more time creating chances than defending.
Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports summed up the spectacle succinctly: "When England are rampaging all over the pitch like this, winning back possession when they have no right to do so, passing forward at every opportunity and finishing ruthlessly, there is no better team in world football to watch." The sentiment was shared by the manager, who described the triumph as "fantastic" and "outstanding," praising the "speed, technical quality and hunger off the ball" as being at the highest level from kickoff to the final whistle. Tuchel’s squad selection for the international break had been his first press conference since the World Cup, and he used the platform to stress that the experiences of the summer tournament would serve as a foundation for future success. He spoke of the "brotherhood" forged in North America, arguing that the shared highs and lows would be crucial as the team moves forward. At the time, many fans were still raw from his tactical choices in the Argentina match and his criticism of the perceived "DNA" of English players.
However, the performance in Rijeka suggested that his ideas were beginning to bear fruit. When asked why the team clicked so well against Croatia, Tuchel answered, "I just believe we have now a lot of experience together. We had a qualifying campaign together, we had a big tournament together, we have big positive emotions together, we lived through them together, we had big pain together.
We just get to know each other better, know the players better and know what to demand and how to motivate. It was a good spirit from the start of the camp and it's nice to see that it builds up. It was a day where every puzzle piece fell into place." Looking ahead, Tuchel cautioned that the upcoming match against the Czech Republic at Wembley will present a different kind of challenge, and he urged fans not to expect another seven‑goal onslaught or a flood of chances in every game. Nevertheless, the 7‑0 result has raised expectations for the next Nations League fixture, as it demonstrates England’s capacity to produce relentless attacking football.
The real test will arrive on November 15, when England travel to face the reigning world champions, Spain, in Madrid. That encounter will have far greater implications for the perception of Tuchel’s progress and will determine whether England are truly on a trajectory toward major honours. A positive result could cement their place in the Nations League quarter‑finals and provide a springboard for the winter months, while a poor showing might reignite doubts about the team’s ability to perform on the biggest stages. In the immediate term, the dominant display against Croatia – witnessed in a modest stadium filled with schoolchildren – offers a much‑needed morale boost.
It reminds both players and supporters that, under Tuchel’s guidance, England can still produce football that is exciting, technically proficient, and capable of delivering decisive victories. As the team prepares for the next set of challenges, this triumph serves as a tangible sign that the project, though still in development, has the potential to fulfil the lofty ambitions set out after the World Cup disappointment.