England demolish Croatia 7-0 to send a statement to Europe under Tuchel

England swept aside Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka in a Nations League qualifier that announced their renewed ambitions under Thomas Tuchel, with Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers all on the scoresheet.

The result is England’s biggest away win in recent memory and arrives less than three months after a painful World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina that left Tuchel’s position under serious scrutiny. The manager had been widely criticised for his handling of that game, and the mood around the squad had soured in its aftermath. This performance, emphatic and clinical from first minute to last, represented a decisive turning of the page.

Bellingham was the standout figure, finishing the night with a goal and three assists. The Real Madrid midfielder was direct, inventive and physically dominant throughout, and his display reinforced the growing argument that he has the capacity to become England’s finest-ever player — a title that will ultimately require silverware to confirm.

Kane added two more goals to his international tally, taking him to 89 — just 11 short of the century mark that now looms as a genuine landmark in the remaining qualification campaign. The Bayern Munich striker looked sharp and motivated, and his partnership with the supporting cast behind him gave Croatia no foothold at any stage.

Anthony Gordon, who has reinvented himself since his move to Barcelona, continued his excellent recent form with another goal, his third in as many England appearances. The winger’s pace and directness caused Croatia problems all evening, and he now looks a fixture in Tuchel’s starting eleven.

Saka, whose form had dipped in the weeks prior, also showed encouraging signs of returning to his best, while the midfield pairing of Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott provided the platform that allowed England’s forward line to flourish.

Croatia were poor, it should be said — disorganised at the back and lacking the creativity that has defined their best international sides. But England’s movement, pressing and finishing were of a level that would trouble any defence in Europe, and the clean sheet added further substance to the result.

With Euro 2028 on the horizon and qualification now gathering momentum, Tuchel will point to this performance as evidence that the squad has moved on from the World Cup disappointment. Whether it marks a genuine turning point or merely a high-water mark against weakened opposition remains to be seen — but for one night in Rijeka, England gave European rivals every reason to take notice.