England Secures Historic 7-0 Victory Against Croatia

Captained by Harry Kane, the English national team achieved a resounding second consecutive win in the Nations League. Thomas Tuchel's squad dominated Croatia in Rijeka with a 7-0 (4-0) victory, momentarily overshadowing domestic financial scandals.

Bayern star Kane (8th and 53rd minute) scored twice, becoming the first Englishman to reach at least ten goals for the 'Three Lions' in three different years. England also set another record: they are the first team to score five goals away against Croatia.

Alongside Kane, Jude Bellingham (21st minute), Anthony Gordon (39th minute), Bukayo Saka (45th and 68th minute), and Morgan Rogers (87th minute) all contributed to the win. England, currently second in Group A3 with six points, will face Czechia next. World champions Spain lead the group with nine points after their 3-1 win against Czechia.

Former Dortmund player Bellingham not only scored but also provided three assists, earning him the well-deserved Man of the Match award.

What Tuchel and Kane Said About the Match

Tuchel expressed his pleasure with 'a 90-minute performance at the highest level from everyone' and congratulated his team. "It just didn't stop. We kept the tempo high and exploited the spaces. We were very efficient. We remained hungry in our pressing and defending, so we did the basics right," the 53-year-old explained. "I love this attitude. We never played overconfidently and always executed the basics correctly, which is why it was a complete performance."

Kane described the game as 'unbelievable from start to finish'. England's captain particularly highlighted the interplay with Saka, Gordon, and Bellingham, against which the Croatians had no answer. "It's so difficult for the opponent to figure that out," Kane stated. "Ultimately, when we lose the ball, we're all smart and good enough to secure the midfield or defense. That's how we want to play. It was so hard for them to pick out one man and apply pressure."

Why Spectators Attended the 'Ghost Game'

The match in Rijeka featured a young audience. UEFA had originally ordered a ghost game due to racist misconduct by Croatian fans the previous year. However, a UEFA regulation allows children up to 14 years old to attend for free, resulting in well-attended stands.

"We had some time between games, and it's a big topic," Tuchel had commented beforehand regarding the financial scandal. "Of course, the players are talking about it." Despite this, he trusted his two players from the Skyblues, Marc Guéhi and Elliot Anderson, in the starting lineup.

Tuchel's England, who had previously defeated Croatia 4-2 in the group stage of the World Cup, dominated from the outset. The home team struggled with the pace, and the match was decided by halftime.