England delivered a stunning 7-0 victory over Croatia in their Nations League clash in Rijeka, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham registering a goal and three assists. The result was effectively sealed inside the opening half-hour as Thomas Tuchel's side tore their hosts apart.
England took the lead after just eight minutes when Josko Gvardiol's stray pass was intercepted by Marc Guehi. Bellingham slid the ball into Kane, who found the top corner with his next touch. Bellingham then tapped in from Anthony Gordon's byline pass to make it 2-0, though Gordon missed a close-range chance minutes later, shooting straight at Dominik Livakovic.
First-half dominance
Jarell Quansah delivered a pinpoint cross and Gordon stooped at the back post to head in his third goal in as many Nations League games. Mateo Kovacic then passed up an open goal after Elliot Anderson was caught on the ball, before Bellingham picked out an unmarked Bukayo Saka on a counter-attack to make it 4-0 before half-time.
Slaven Bilic made three substitutions at the break, but Croatia's fortunes did not improve. Kane netted from Anderson's cross early in the second half, and Saka added his second as the home side's performance turned from terrible to farcical. Saka spurned a simple chance for a hat-trick, and Bellingham put a one-on-one wide before making amends with a through ball for Morgan Rogers to complete the 7-0 scoreline.
Kane's Ballon d'Or case
Kane's opening goal underlined his finishing ability, as he positioned himself between the two Croatia centre-backs before taking a perfect touch from Bellingham's pass and picking out the top corner. That was his 88th goal in 124 appearances, and he added his 89th in the second half.
The match was played in an unusual atmosphere, partly because a loophole in UEFA's rules allowed 6,000 children to attend despite Croatia playing behind closed doors as punishment for racist and discriminatory fan behaviour during last year's Nations League. The rules permit children up to the age of 14 from schools or football academies to be invited free of charge.
Tuchel's front four and right-back dilemma
All four of England's first-half goals had a Spanish influence, with Gordon and Bellingham at the centre of Tuchel's strategy. Gordon's confidence boost from his move to Barcelona was evident, while Bellingham has been in form for club and country, with three goals and three assists in seven La Liga games for Real Madrid this season. Kane, Bellingham, Saka and Gordon have accounted for 26 of England's last 30 goals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was man of the match against Czech Republic on Tuesday but was dropped for this game, with Tuchel explaining his decision to pick Quansah by saying: "There is a lot to defend on the side." Quansah registered an assist with a Trent-like cross, and with Reece James an established Tuchel favourite, Alexander-Arnold may have to wait for another chance.
With Declan Rice watching at home, Bournemouth's Alex Scott earned his first start for England and looked at home, winning the ball back high up the pitch and setting the ball rolling for Kane's opener with a pass into Bellingham.
