Rijeka offered a meeting between two recent World Cup bronze-medal sides, but England turned it into a one-sided night on the Adriatic coast. Thomas Tuchel’s team swept Croatia aside 7-0, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scoring twice in a display that left the hosts overwhelmed from the opening minutes.
England take control before the interval
The visitors needed only eight minutes to open the scoring. Jude Bellingham drove the move that ended with Kane putting England ahead, and Bellingham added the second himself in the 21st minute.
Croatia had little answer as England widened the gap before half-time. Anthony Gordon struck in the 39th minute, before Saka made it 4-0 on the stroke of the break.
- 8th minute: Kane completed a move created by Bellingham.
- 21st minute: Bellingham scored England’s second.
- 39th minute: Gordon added a third goal.
- 45th minute: Saka sent England in four goals ahead.
Seven-goal finish in Rijeka
England resumed with the same authority. Eight minutes into the second half, Kane claimed his second of the evening after Elliott Anderson supplied the pass. Saka then completed his brace in the 68th minute.
The final word went to Morgan Rogers, who scored with three minutes remaining after another Bellingham assist. It completed a seven-goal result and a particularly stark evening for Croatia in front of their own supporters.
- Kane’s second arrived in the 53rd minute, assisted by Elliott Anderson.
- Saka registered his second goal in the 68th minute.
- Rogers made it 7-0 in the 87th minute from Bellingham’s assist.
Group C still has a final turn
Despite the scale of the victory, England remain second in UEFA Nations League Group C for now. Spain still have to face Czechia, a match that could preserve the current order at the top while also giving the Czechs a chance to move Croatia off the bottom of the section.
The final group fixtures are scheduled for Tuesday:
- England will meet Czechia.
- Croatia face world champions Spain, seeking a response after the defeat in Rijeka and aiming to remain at the summit of the group.
