Croatia's national football team endured a humiliating 7-0 defeat at the hands of England in their UEFA Nations League clash in Rijeka. The heavy loss marks a second consecutive competitive defeat for the team, following a 4-1 loss to Spain just days earlier.
England in Command
The match was effectively over by half-time. England's attack was ruthless, with Harry Kane opening the scoring in the 8th minute. Jude Bellingham made it 2-0 in the 21st minute, and Anthony Gordon added a third before the break. Bukayo Saka then struck a fourth goal in the 45th minute, leaving Croatia with no realistic hope of a comeback.
No Response After the Break
The situation did not improve after the interval. Kane netted his second of the night in the 53rd minute, and Saka scored the sixth in the 68th. Morgan Rogers completed the scoring with a seventh goal in the 87th minute, sealing one of the heaviest defeats in Croatia's recent history. The hosts had a chance for a consolation in the 41st minute, but Mateo Kovacic missed an open goal.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel was pleased with his team's performance. "Maybe there were three minutes after 3-0 where we had a big mistake and some easy ball losses but that was a 90-minute performance on a high level from everyone, from the first minute to the last minute, from everyone who started to everyone who came off the bench. It was the highest level and congratulations to the team," Tuchel said.
A Tough Group Position
This result leaves Croatia in a very difficult position in Nations League Group A3. Looking at the broader picture, the national team has now lost its last two matches and three of its last five official fixtures. The next challenge comes quickly, as Croatia host Spain again in Rijeka on Tuesday, October 6th. It will be an immediate opportunity to respond and repair the damage from the England defeat.
The match in Rijeka was played behind closed doors due to a ban for fan trouble against France last year, with around 6,000 local schoolchildren and 100 England fans permitted in the stadium. Croatia will need to show far more resilience in the matches ahead to fight for a place in the Nations League quarter-finals next March.
Read the full report at Sky Sports Football
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed satisfaction after the match in Rijeka. "It was the highest level and congratulations to the team," Tuchel said. Croatia, following the 0-7 defeat, faces a rematch against Spain on October 6.
England coach Thomas Tuchel added detail on his team's victory. "We were very, very clinical," said Tuchel. Croatia have conceded 12 goals in their last three matches, the source confirmed.
