England turned a night in Croatia into the most emphatic statement yet of the Thomas Tuchel era, sweeping aside the hosts 7-0 in a performance of relentless control and sharp finishing. In a stadium filled with children because of Croatia’s crowd sanction, the visitors found space from the opening minutes and never loosened their grip.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each struck twice, while Jude Bellingham, FC Barcelona’s Gordon and Morgan Rogers completed a remarkable scoreline. Croatia, coached by Slaven Bilic, were left facing Spain on Tuesday after a defeat that could have been heavier but for goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Quick facts
- England beat Croatia 7-0 in what was arguably their most complete match under Thomas Tuchel.
- Kane and Saka scored two goals apiece.
- Bellingham supplied a goal and two key attacking contributions, including assists for Kane and Saka.
- Gordon scored for a third successive match after also finding the net against Spain and the Czech Republic.
- Rogers scored England’s seventh in the 87th minute after taking the ball around Livakovic.
England’s first arrived after eight minutes. Bellingham released Kane through the middle, and the striker finished high into the corner when confronted by Livakovic.
The Croatian goalkeeper, a Barcelona team-mate of Gordon, briefly kept the margin down with two important stops from the former Newcastle winger: one in a one-on-one and another from close range. Gordon remained England’s principal threat down the left, however.
On 21 minutes, he brought down a difficult ball, turned and rolled a low delivery into Bellingham’s path. The midfielder arrived late and converted from close range.
Gordon then continued his scoring run before half-time, throwing himself at Qansah’s cross to head in at the far post in the 39th minute. Saka added a fourth on 45 minutes, finishing a Bellingham pass shortly after Croatia had missed their clearest opening.
Mateo Kovacic had beaten several defenders and reached an empty net from close range, only to send his effort wide. It was the moment Croatia most needed to take before England’s command became overwhelming.
Bilic made three changes at the interval and his side returned with greater aggression, but England continued to exploit openings across the pitch. Kane and Saka added further goals after the break, both simple finishes into unguarded nets as Croatia’s defending unravelled.
Rogers applied the final touch in the 87th minute, rounding Livakovic to make it seven. England left with a historic margin and a display that set a new benchmark under Tuchel; Croatia left needing to regroup quickly before Spain arrive on Tuesday.
