England delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come, demolishing Croatia 7‑0 in their Nations League encounter in Rijeka. In what can safely be called one of the most impressive away displays in recent English history, Thomas Tuchel’s side completely overran their opponents, leaving a lasting impression on the 100 travelling supporters who were permitted into the stadium. From the first whistle, the English side looked relentless.
Captain Harry Kane opened the scoring early, blasting a powerful shot that flew into the top corner after a precise pass from Jude Bellingham. The goal set the tone for what would become a relentless onslaught. Shortly after, Anthony Gordon’s inventive play produced the second goal, with Bellingham himself finishing the move, showcasing his growing influence in the midfield. Gordon continued to threaten the Croatian defence, creating chances of his own before adding a third goal.
A moment of tactical debate had seen Jarell Quansah start ahead of Trent Alexander‑Arnold, but the decision paid off when the Bayer Leverkusen youngster delivered a pinpoint cross for the Barcelona winger, who nodded the ball home to make it 3‑0. Bellingham then set up Bukayo Saka for the fourth goal before the break, leaving Croatia’s manager Slaven Bilić visibly stunned. Although Mateo Kovačić missed an easy opportunity to pull one back, the scoreline never threatened England’s rhythm. The first half concluded with the English fans reveling in a dominant display that felt like an "I‑was‑there" moment for the limited crowd.
The second half saw Croatia attempt to raise their intensity, but England’s superiority was evident in a spectacular team goal that made it 5‑0. Kane latched onto a cross from Elliot Anderson, demonstrating his predatory instincts inside the box. A defensive error by Croatian defender Stanisic soon gifted Saka his second goal of the night, and Morgan Rogers capped the rout with a late strike, sealing a 7‑0 victory.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad needed a convincing performance in this final set of Nations League fixtures before a home match against the Czech Republic. The opening defeat to Spain, followed by a win over a Czech side reduced to ten men, had left the campaign hanging in the balance. This emphatic win against a Croatia team led by Luka Modrić, who seemed out‑matched in speed, strength, and technical ability, provided the boost England required. The inclusion of Alex Scott from the start for the first time added further depth to the line‑up.
In Group A3, the result was particularly significant. With world champions Spain maintaining a flawless record, England now have a clearer path to the Nations League semi‑finals in the spring. The victory not only bolstered their points tally but also reinforced Tuchel’s position, giving him a powerful statement of intent. Key moments of the match were: - 8' – Kane fires home after a perfect pass from Bellingham.
- 21' – Bellingham scores his second, assisted by Gordon. - 39' – Gordon heads in Quansah’s cross from the right wing. - 41' – Kovačić squanders a clear chance for Croatia.
- 45' – Bellingham sets up Saka for England’s fourth. - 53' – Kane latches onto Anderson’s cross for his fifth. - 68' – A mistake by Stanisic leads to Saka’s sixth.
- 87' – Rogers finishes the seventh goal. After the match, England head coach Thomas Tuchel spoke to ITV Sport, saying: "There may have been a few minutes after the third goal when we slipped, but overall it was a 90‑minute performance at a very high level from everyone, from the first minute to the last, from the starters to the substitutes.
It was the highest level and congratulations to the team. On an away pitch, very, very impressive. We created countless chances and were fluid from the start.
I kept checking the clock and was amazed at how strong the first three minutes were, and then the first seven – it never stopped. We kept the tempo, exploited the gaps, and were extremely clinical. Our counter‑pressing and defending were disciplined, we got the basics right, and the attitude was superb.
It was a complete performance." Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, also on ITV, praised the display: "Everything you could want. A complete performance in possession, constant goal threat, seven goals, a clean sheet, and relentless pressing when they lost the ball.
England were clinical, excellent. All the credit goes to England – they were fantastic. Bellingham can become one of the greatest players ever; there’s still a lot more to come from him.
He’s a huge leader for England." The match also marked a personal milestone for Harry Kane, who moved within one appearance of Peter Shilton’s record for England caps. Kane scored for the third consecutive Nations League game, adding to his six goals in his last five outings for Bayern Munich.
He has now found the net in each of his last six away appearances for the Three Lions, a feat previously achieved only by Stan Mortensen in 1948, with Tom Finney being the only player to score in seven consecutive away matches. Kane will need to continue his scoring streak against Spain next month to equal Finney’s remarkable record. Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, reporting from Stadion HNK Rijeka, summed up the night: "England erased Croatia without a trace on the Adriatic coast, with the Good Ship Tuchel now steaming ahead after the World Cup supporter mutiny.
No one could have predicted such utter dominance against a team ranked 14th in the world. England sliced through a feeble Croatian midfield and defence like a hot knife through butter, and Tuchel’s front men enjoyed a field day. Two goals for captain Kane with an assist, two for Saka – a confidence boost for the Arsenal winger – a hat‑trick of assists for the irrepressible Bellingham, plus a goal and an assist for the equally magnificent Gordon. Croatia were simply blown away; England could have won by more.
When England rampage like this – winning back possession, passing forward at every opportunity, and finishing ruthlessly – there is no better team to watch. Seven‑nil in Rijeka does not flatter them; this was a statement victory and a marker of what they are capable of." The result not only secured valuable points but also sent a clear message to the rest of Europe: England are capable of delivering high‑octane, clinical football on foreign soil, and they will be a force to reckon with as the Nations League progresses toward its knockout stages.