England secured a dominant 7-0 victory over Croatia in a Nations League match on Saturday, with Thomas Tuchel's side showcasing attacking prowess that left the hosts in disarray. The match, held at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, saw five England players scoring, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Morgan Rogers. The result marked England's seventh consecutive win in the competition, extending their unbeaten run in the group stage.
Croatia's defeat was described as "catastrophic" by captain Luka Modric, who expressed shame over his team's performance. The loss came after Croatia had previously defeated England in a friendly in 2022, highlighting a stark contrast in form. England's victory was further underscored by the inclusion of young talent, with Rico Lewis called up from the Under-21 squad, replacing injured Nico O’Reilly. The win also solidified England's position in the Nations League standings, with Tuchel hailing the team's "complete" performance.
This result follows a series of strong performances from England, including a 7-0 win over Croatia in a friendly in 2022. The current victory reinforces England's dominance in the competition and sets the stage for their Euro 2028 campaign. Croatia, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure to improve their defensive and attacking strategies ahead of future fixtures. The match also saw fans allowed at the stadium despite UEFA's general ban, with schoolchildren and a limited number of England supporters granted exemptions.
