England delivered one of their most emphatic away victories by dismantling Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both scoring twice in a remarkable Nations League performance.
Thomas Tuchel’s side overwhelmed a Croatia team led by Luka Modric from the opening minutes and inflicted the hosts’ heaviest defeat. England’s pace, power and technical quality proved too much, while Alex Scott started for the first time.
Kane opened the scoring after eight minutes, blasting high into the roof of the net after being picked out by Jude Bellingham. Anthony Gordon then created the second in the 21st minute, allowing Bellingham to finish and give England complete control.
Gordon had already threatened before adding the third in the 39th minute. Jarell Quansah’s selection ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold had prompted debate, but the Bayer Leverkusen player supplied an excellent cross from the right for the Barcelona winger to head home.
England extended their advantage again before half-time when Bellingham set up Saka in the 45th minute. Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic had earlier missed an open goal, but the scoreline accurately reflected England’s dominance. The 100 away supporters permitted inside Stadion HNK Rijeka witnessed a memorable night.
Croatia attempted to play with greater aggression after the interval, but England soon produced another outstanding team move. Elliot Anderson crossed for Kane, who converted in the 53rd minute to make it 5-0.
Saka scored his second in the 68th minute after taking advantage of an error by Croatia’s Josip Stanisic, before Morgan Rogers raced through to complete the scoring three minutes from time.
The result provided the authoritative response Tuchel needed during this four-match Nations League sequence. England’s opening defeat by Spain and their subsequent victory against a Czech Republic side reduced to 10 players had not been enough to satisfy that need. They conclude the group of fixtures at home to the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
It was also a major result in Group A3. Spain, the current World Cup holders, have a perfect record and are likely to leave only one further qualification place for the Nations League quarter-finals in the spring. England’s victory significantly strengthens their prospects of claiming it.
Kane also marked the occasion with another personal milestone. He moved to within one cap of Peter Shilton’s England record and scored for the third successive time during this Nations League break.
After scoring 73 goals in all competitions for club and country last season, Kane has now found the net in six consecutive away appearances for England. Only three players had previously achieved that, with Stan Mortensen the latest to do so in 1948. Tom Finney remains the only England player to score in seven successive away matches.
Kane can equal that record when England travel to face Spain next month. His current form suggests it is a possibility.
