Nations League: England crush Croatia 7-0

“A performance of the highest level”: coach Thomas Tuchel was particularly satisfied with the performance of his players on Saturday evening. And there is something to be said for it. England indeed beat Luka Modric's Croatia with a stunning score (7-0) in the Nations League.

In Rijeka, the Three Lions (2nd, 6 points) had a second success in a row, after that acquired on Tuesday in Prague (2-0). The leader of the group remains Spain with 9 points. The world champions beat the Czech Republic 3-1 on Saturday evening (4th, 0 points). Croatia occupies 3rd place with 3 points.

Doubles from Kane and Saka

The meeting, scheduled behind closed doors for disciplinary reasons, was played in front of more than 6,000 children invited by the Croatian federation, as authorized by the regulations, and in front of around a hundred visiting supporters. The latter enjoyed themselves with doubles from Kane (8th, 53rd) and Saka (45th, 68th), a goal from the in-form Anthony Gordon (39th), another from N.10 Jude Bellingham (21st) – also credited with three assists – and a last one from the incoming Morgan Rogers (87th).

The English, in steamroller mode, offered coach Thomas Tuchel the conquering and suffocating face that he wants to see, without releasing the embrace from start to finish. Opposite, Slaven Bilic's team completely exploded in flight because of an overwhelmed defense, in agony against the opposing pressure. The opening score illustrated this: catastrophic throw from Josko Gvardiol intercepted by Marc Guéhi, unopposed breakthrough from Alex Scott, pass through a mouse hole from Bellingham for Kane, impeccable in his control-shot sequence.

The wonders of Bellingham

As an offensive leader, Bellingham once again did wonders with his determination and precision. The Real Madrid player scored by cutting a cross from Gordon (21st) and delivered three assists in total, including those for Saka (45th) and Rogers (87th). Gordon also extended his golden period with a third goal in three games, with a diving header after a rebound from a center from Jarell Quansah, preferred to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back (39th, 3-0).

The Croats only got their heads out of the water a handful of minutes before half-time, but their good streak was spoiled by an incredible miss from Mateo Kovacic (41st). Returning from the locker room, they only lasted eight minutes, time for Kane to secure his double on a cross from Elliot Anderson (53rd, 5-0). This now makes 21 goals in his last 22 caps for the England captain.