
AI-generated summary
The game was part of the Nations League and took place after Croatia was banned from spectators by UEFA in the quarter-final against France due to racist insults from their fans. However, the Croatian association HNS invited children and young people to watch the game for free, which is allowed under UEFA regulations.
England's national football team humiliated Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League. For the former vice world champion Croatia, it is the worst defeat in their international history against coach Thomas Tuchel's team.
The English played themselves into a frenzy at times in Rijeka and won against a completely overwhelmed opponent and were already 4-0 up after the first half. They consolidated second place in Group 3 behind world champions Spain.
108 days after the direct duel at the World Cup, which the English won 4-2 at the start of the group phase, the Three Lions dominated at will from the start. Star striker Harry Kane (8th/53rd minute) from FC Bayern scored twice, as did Bukayo Saka (45th/68th minute). Jude Bellingham (21st), Anthony Gordon (39th) and Morgan Rogers (87th) contributed the other goals. On the Croatian side, national coach Slaven Bilic experienced a bitter setback in his short term in office.
Instead of a ghost game: children and young people in the stands
The game at the Rujevica Stadium took place in front of an unusual backdrop. After racist insults against Croatian fans in the Nations League quarter-finals against France in March 2025, UEFA actually imposed a complete ban on spectators. However, the Croatian association HNS invited several thousand children and young people who were allowed to watch the game for free. The UEFA regulations expressly allow such a measure. There were also around 100 English fans in the stadium.
This is what international media write about the match:
Croatia
“Jutarnji List”: “This is an unacceptable catastrophe! Not only are we no longer part of the elite, we have become San Marino. The dreams of the quarter-finals are shattered, waking up is more painful than after twenty beers."
«Index.hr: «Bilic's team wandered around the pitch, experienced a historic debacle and looked as if they were playing together for the first time. After all, Dominik Livakovic prevented England from scoring at least 13 goals in Rijeka. Croatia presented themselves the way San Marino usually plays against Croatia and England. And San Marino didn’t have a good day.”
England
“Daily Mail”: “England in seventh heaven. (...) Men against boys. That was a piece of cake for England.”
«The Sun»: «Thomas Tuchel's team caused a sensation with one of the greatest away performances in the history of the English national team. (...) While life as England coach has been an emotional rollercoaster for Tuchel since the summer, this trip to the sea was a joy for the German. His team played breathtaking and ruthless football to bully and humiliate the Croatians."
“Daily Star”: “England outclassed Croatia in the Nations League thanks to a brilliant decision from Thomas Tuchel. (...) The Croatian players certainly regret not staying at home."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
UEFA will launch an investigation into the behavior of Croatian fans.
Likely · Within weeks
Thomas Tuchel will maintain his tactical approach in future England matches.
Possible · Within months

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