Rijeka was supposed to be a fortress. Croatia had lost only four of their previous 41 home games and had never been beaten in that stadium, and England turned up with a defeat by Spain still fresh in the memory. They left having scored seven without reply. It was arguably the most impressive performance of Thomas Tuchel's time in charge, and it came in a ground that felt more like a school trip than an international.
The match was played behind closed doors as a punishment for Croatian supporters' past behaviour, though around 6,000 schoolchildren were let in, along with 100 travelling England fans. The atmosphere was odd, and Slaven Bilic's side did little to fill the quiet with anything memorable.
Kane and Bellingham set the tone
England needed eight minutes. Josko Gvardiol, the Manchester City defender, made a mistake near his own box, Jude Bellingham slipped the ball forward, and Harry Kane took it in his stride before rifling a finish high past Dominik Livakovic. Bellingham added the second on 21 minutes, tapping in from close range after Anthony Gordon did well to bring Bukayo Saka's cross under control at the far post.
Gordon then got in on it himself. Jarell Quansah delivered a perfect cross from the right and the winger met it with a far-post header, his fourth goal in four games for England. Just before half-time Saka made it four, another simple finish from a Bellingham delivery. Croatia were not so much being picked apart as walked through.
No let-up after the break
Eight minutes into the second half Kane slid in at the far post to turn in Elliot Anderson's cross, and the captain was not finished with the night. Croatia's defending stayed careless. Saka was left with an easy task to make it 6-0, and Morgan Rogers, on as a substitute, rounded Livakovic late on to finish the job and give the scoreline its final, slightly ridiculous look.
Bellingham's night deserves its own line. One goal, three assists, and the sort of control in the number ten role that made his doubters from earlier in the year look hasty. Rogers, his main rival for that position, reminded everyone he is still in the picture.
What it says about Tuchel's England
There is a caveat, and it is fair to state it. This was a poor Croatia, a shadow of the side that has caused England so much trouble in recent years. England also lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley in their opening Nations League game, a match that turned on a rare Kane penalty miss, before beating the Czech Republic in Prague. Still, this was a different level. It came 108 days after England beat the same opponents 4-2 at the World Cup in Dallas, and it suggests the attacking intent Tuchel found after the criticism that followed the World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina is real and not a passing mood.
Gordon has been a revelation since moving from Newcastle to Barcelona and has made the left flank his own. With Kane, Saka, Bellingham and Gordon all in this sort of form, England look like a side that can hurt anybody, whoever stands in front of them.
Match facts: Croatia 0-7 England, UEFA Nations League, Rijeka, Saturday 3 October 2026 (behind closed doors). Goals: Kane 8', Bellingham 21', Gordon, Saka (just before half-time), Kane (eight minutes into the second half), Saka, Rogers (late). Source: BBC Sport.
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