
AI-generated summary
England had won the direct duel at the World Cup 108 days earlier 4-2 and went into the game with self-confidence. Croatia showed racist fan behavior in the Nations League quarter-finals against France in March 2025, after which UEFA imposed a ban on spectators.
The England national football team made an impressive statement in the Nations League and took a big step towards the quarter-finals with a resounding victory in Croatia. The team of German national coach Thomas Tuchel played themselves into a frenzy in Rijeka at times and won 7-0 (4-0) against a completely overwhelmed opponent. For the Croatians it was the biggest defeat in their association's history. England, on the other hand, 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.
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.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
England will reach the quarter-finals of the Nations League
Likely · Within weeks
UEFA will open an investigation against the Croatian association HNS for circumventing the ban on spectators
Possible · Within weeks
Before the Nations League game against Greece, national coach Jürgen Klopp gave a press conference at the DFB in Thessaloniki. Aleksandar Pavlović stressed his commitment while Klopp spoke about goalkeeper rotation, possible lineup changes and the pressure to win to reach the quarter-finals.

Spain won the Nations League against the Czech Republic 3-1 and thus secured their third win in the third group game. Lamine Yamal and Rodri scored in the first half, Mikel Merino decided the game in the 89th minute. This means that Spain remains unbeaten in 41 international matches.

The English national football team defeated Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League. It is the worst defeat in Croatia's international history. The game took place in Rijeka in front of an unusual crowd of children and young people after UEFA imposed a ban on spectators due to racist insults against Croatian fans, although this was exempted for young spectators. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice, with further goals scored by Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers.
Spencer Reaves led Syntainics MBC with 19 points to an 89:72 win against Ratiopharm Ulm after an almost two-month injury break. The Weißenfels team remained unbeaten at home thanks to a strong final quarter (28:15).
SG Flensburg-Handewitt won its seventh game of the season against Frisch Auf Göppingen 32:27 and remains the only undefeated team in the handball Bundesliga. Simon Pytlick scored eight goals and was the best thrower. By changing the goalkeeper to Simon Möller, the defensive performance improved.

Zinédine Zidane has taken office as French national coach and is relying on a 4-3-3 formation in the first games as well as favorite positions for regular players like Kylian Mbappé.