The England men’s national football team secured a commanding 7-0 victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League in Rijeka, moving closer to securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice at Stadion Rujevica, propelling manager Thomas Tuchel’s side to second place in Group 3 behind world champions Spain.
Kane and Saka Lead Seven-Goal Rout in Rijeka
England seized control early against a heavily pressured Croatian side, translating their dominance into a 4-0 halftime lead. Kane opened the scoring in the 8th minute before Jude Bellingham added a second in the 21st minute. Anthony Gordon extended the advantage in the 39th minute, and Saka netted his first of the match just before the break in the 45th minute.
The visitors maintained their offensive intensity after the interval. Kane struck his second in the 53rd minute, followed by Saka’s second goal in the 68th minute. Morgan Rogers completed the 7-0 scoreline in the 87th minute, sealing what records show is the heaviest defeat in the history of the Croatian football federation.
Standings and Revanche After World Cup Meeting
The fixture came 108 days after the teams met in their World Cup opening group stage match, where England prevailed 4-2. With this latest victory, England solidified their hold on second place in Group 3, maintaining pressure on group leaders Spain as the qualification campaign progresses toward the knockout stages.
For Croatia, the result marks a severe setback for head coach Slaven Bilic during the early stages of his tenure. The home side struggled to contain England’s pace and movement across the pitch, leaving them searching for defensive answers ahead of their remaining fixtures.
Youth Attendance Replaces Closed-Doors Penalty
The match at Stadion Rujevica unfolded before an unusual audience after European governing body UEFA originally mandated a complete stadium closure following racist incidents by Croatian supporters during a Nations League quarterfinal against France in March 2025.
Utilizing permitted provisions within UEFA regulations, the Croatian Football Federation invited several thousand children and young people to attend the fixture free of charge. Approximately 100 travelling England supporters also secured access to the stadium, creating a youth-dominated atmosphere in Rijeka.
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