England thrash Croatia 7-0 as Bellingham stars and Kane, Saka net doubles
England delivered a remarkable 7-0 Nations League victory over Croatia at Stadion Rujevica, with Thomas Tuchel’s side scoring four times before the interval and adding three more after it. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each struck twice, while Jude Bellingham combined a goal with three assists in a dominant away performance.
England’s seven-goal night in Croatia
- England took control in the eighth minute when captain Kane finished from a Bellingham assist, giving the visitors an early reward for their aggressive start.
- Bellingham doubled the lead in the 21st minute, driving England further clear as Croatia struggled to contain runners between the lines.
- Jarell Quansah set up Anthony Gordon for England’s third in the 39th minute. Gordon’s pace repeatedly caused problems for Josip Stanisic during a match in which England registered 10 counter-attacks.
- Saka made it 4-0 on the stroke of half-time, leaving Croatia facing an overwhelming deficit at the break.
- Anderson supplied Kane’s second goal in the 53rd minute, with the midfielder finding the captain in a crowded area.
- Saka completed his brace in the 68th minute after Kane provided the final pass.
- Morgan Rogers, introduced in the 69th minute, completed the scoring in the 87th minute from Bellingham’s third assist of the evening.
Control in possession and on the break
The scoreline was supported by England’s underlying dominance. Tuchel’s team produced 6.12 expected goals to Croatia’s 1.24, had 64 per cent of possession and put 10 efforts on target. England also completed 746 passes as they controlled both the tempo and territory of the match.
Tuchel paired a high press with quick attacks into the space left by Croatia. Bellingham was central to that approach, carrying the ball through midfield, scoring once and creating goals for Kane, Saka and Rogers. Saka’s direct running on the right and Gordon’s speed from the opposite side gave England constant width and penetration.
Kane’s contribution extended beyond his two finishes. His ability to retain possession and link play helped England sustain attacks, while his assist for Saka’s second capped an influential captain’s performance.
Defence preserves the clean sheet
Jordan Pickford was required to make only one save as Croatia managed a single shot on target. England’s back line remained disciplined when the home side enjoyed brief spells of pressure, while also supporting the passing game from deep.
Quansah combined his assist with a composed defensive display, while Ezri Konsa dealt effectively with the threat of Petar Musa. Marc Guehi’s anticipation enabled England to maintain a high line, cutting out several Croatia moves before they reached the final third. England won two-thirds of their aerial duels over the course of the match.
Lewis Hall offered an outlet on the left before his 79th-minute substitution, balancing his forward work with defensive attention on Ivan Perisic. In midfield, Alex Scott provided protection in front of the defence until he went off in the 69th minute, and Anderson’s energetic work complemented his key assist.
Substitutes maintain England’s standard
Rogers made the clearest impact from the bench with England’s seventh goal, underlining the attacking options available to Tuchel. Eberechi Eze entered for the final 20 minutes and helped England retain the ball in the closing stages, while James Garner added fresh energy in midfield.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Myles Lewis-Skelly were both introduced in the 79th minute, gaining late involvement as England completed one of their most emphatic results under Tuchel.
