Ruthless England smash seven past Croatia in extraordinary away rout

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

England produced a ruthless attacking display on Saturday, dismantling Croatia 7-0 away in a one-sided UEFA Nations League encounter.

The visitors needed just eight minutes to open the scoring, with Harry Kane finishing brilliantly into the top-left corner after being picked out by Jude Bellingham.

England doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Bellingham converted from close range after Anthony Gordon created the opportunity.

The pressure continued, and Gordon made it 3-0 in the 39th minute, heading home after Jarell Quansah supplied the assist.

England showed no signs of easing off before the interval. In the 45th minute, Bukayo Saka tapped the ball into an empty net following an assist from Bellingham to send England into half-time with a commanding 4-0 lead.

The second half brought more punishment for the hosts. Kane added his second of the night in the 53rd minute, finishing from an Elliot Anderson cross to make it 5-0.

Saka then joined Kane among the scorers, producing a composed finish into the left side of the net after receiving a pass from Kane in the 68th minute.

England completed the rout in the 87th minute when Morgan Rogers, released by Bellingham, surged into the box and fired past the goalkeeper after going one-on-one.

Croatia struggled to contain England throughout the contest, with several attempts blocked or failing to seriously trouble Jordan Pickford. Pickford nevertheless had to make a late save from Ivan Perisic in stoppage time to preserve England’s clean sheet.

The emphatic victory underlined England’s attacking efficiency, with Kane, Bellingham, Gordon, Saka and Rogers all finding the net as Thomas Tuchel’s side overwhelmed Croatia from the opening stages.