The match in Rijeka was a watershed moment for England – a performance that many of us had long believed the team possessed, a display that captain Harry Kane had hinted at repeatedly, saying it was just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to emerge. When that moment finally arrived, the 100 spectators in the modest stadium and the millions watching from their homes were treated to something electrifying, inspiring, and deeply satisfying.
At the same time, the spectacle provoked a strange, almost paradoxical feeling of anger among England supporters. The reason for that anger lies not in the result – a 7‑0 demolition of a respectable opponent – but in the realization of what this performance represents and what it does not yet guarantee. The style we witnessed is precisely the brand of football we yearn to see when the stakes are highest: a game that can topple the world’s elite and deliver the coveted trophy that has eluded us for decades.
It is easy to label that desire as petty, especially given the context of a competitive fixture against a strong side, but the sentiment is rooted in a deeper longing for consistency at the very top level. Croatia, sitting at 14th in the FIFA rankings, are a nation with a proud footballing heritage.
Beating them on their own soil is no small feat, and the victory could be seen as a blueprint for how England might operate on the international stage – a template that showcases confidence, cohesion, and belief that the team can overcome any opponent. Yet, we must not forget that just a week earlier England were humbled by the very best: a near‑victory against Spain, the reigning World and European champions, that ultimately ended in disappointment. That loss still lingers in the collective memory of the fanbase and casts a long shadow over any subsequent success.
The Rijeka win has, in many ways, pushed that lingering despair and frustration about the World Cup exit into the background. It offers a much‑needed morale boost for the supporters and, perhaps more importantly, for manager Thomas Tuchel, whose position was under intense scrutiny at the start of the international break.
The tactical shift to an ultra‑defensive posture in the latter stages of the World Cup semi‑final against Argentina sparked outrage among fans and even among some players, fueling doubts about Tuchel’s future. In the weeks that followed, the German coach appeared pre‑occupied, irritated by relentless media criticism that kept revisiting the Argentine defeat. In stark contrast, the performance at the tiny Rijeka stadium on the Adriatic coast was a vivid illustration of Tuchel’s footballing philosophy. The team displayed blistering pace, raw power, rapid passing, relentless pressing, fluid movement, and clinical finishing – the very elements Tuchel describes as playing in the "Premier League way".
England’s front line was virtually unstoppable. After the match, Kane explained that the quartet now enjoys a unique understanding that creates a new level of fluidity, allowing them to interchange positions, cover for each other across the pitch, and tear apart opposition defenses. This fluidity echoes the "Total Football" principles pioneered by Johan Cruyff’s Dutch sides in the 1970s. Tuchel refers to these intuitive connections as "special" – an innate chemistry that elevates a group of senior players from good to great, a concept he has been cultivating since taking the helm.
While the display was undeniably uplifting, a few caveats remain. Some observers might ask, "Yeah, but…" and point out that Croatia’s performance was far from their recent best.
Coach Slaven Bilić now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a side that has lost the generational talent of Luka Modrić, who, at 41, is finally winding down his illustrious career, and Ivan Perišić, who was exposed by Bukayo Saka and is now only four years younger than Modrić. Technically, positionally, and physically, Croatia appeared vulnerable, and their defensive frailties were laid bare.
England’s brilliance simply amplified those shortcomings. Another factor to consider is the timing of the match. England traditionally shines in the early part of the season, during the autumn months when players are fresh and the weather is milder.
By contrast, summer tournaments often see the squad fatigued after a grueling Premier League campaign, with heat and exhaustion taking their toll. This raises a difficult question: is the "Premier League‑style masterclass" we witnessed in Rijeka a performance that can only be replicated outside the pressure cooker of major tournaments?
Kane himself has admitted, after both the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany and the World Cup in the United States, that England has never truly reached its full potential in those competitions. The level of play we saw in the Nations League third round, rendered in vivid technicolour, remains an outlier.
Nevertheless, there are reasons for optimism. Young talents such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and the newly capped, technically gifted Alex Scott are poised to develop further. Their growth, combined with the experience of seasoned players like Harry Kane and the emerging leadership of Marcus Rashford, suggests that England is on an upward trajectory.
This match could be remembered as a pivotal moment in that journey – a point when the squad proved, both to themselves and to the world, that they possess the tools to take the next step toward glory. The ultimate test, however, will be whether England can reproduce this brand of football on the biggest stages, against the toughest opponents, under the most intense pressure.
Until that happens, fans will continue to oscillate between hope and worry, celebrating the moments of brilliance while yearning for consistency when it matters most. The 7‑0 victory in Croatia will remain a bright chapter in England’s story, but the narrative is far from complete; the quest for a trophy that bears the nation’s name continues, demanding patience, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.