(AFP) - The English national team inflicted a humiliating loss on its Croatian counterpart at home, beating them 7-0, in the third round of the third group competitions within the first level of the Nations League competition on Saturday.

Published on: 03/10/2026 - 20:04

England settled the result in the first half by scoring a quartet, which was alternated by captain Harry Kane (8), Jude Bellingham (21), Anthony Gordon (39) and Bukayo Saka (45).

The Three Lions team added two goals in the second half, starting with Kane, who scored his second personal goal for him and the fifth for his team after a pass from Elliot Andersen (53). The German Bayern Munich striker returned and passed a decisive ball to Bukayo Saka, who put it into the net (68), before he came out and Morgan Rogers replaced him in the 70th minute. The latter did not disappoint by concluding the scoring festival 3 minutes before the end of normal time (87).

Kane, 33 years old, raised his tally to 89 goals in 124 goals for his country.

Despite coach Slaven Bilic's attempts to strengthen his defense line by removing veteran midfielder Luka Modric (41 years old) and introducing Christian Jakic (57 years old), the home side failed to stop the English tide, especially against Bellingham, who added 3 assists to his scoring tally.

The match, which was scheduled to be held behind closed doors for disciplinary reasons, was played in front of more than 6,000 children invited by the Croatian Federation, as permitted by the regulations, and in front of about 100 visiting fans.

England achieved its second victory in a row after the victory away from home over the Czech Republic 2-0, which came after losing at home to world champion Spain 2-3 in the opener.

The English team raised its score to 6 points in second place behind Spain, which leads with a full score (6 points), and which hosts Czechia, at the bottom of the standings, with no points later, while Croatia's score froze at 3 points in third place.

German coach Thomas Tuchel's men will host the Czech Republic in the fourth round on the sixth of this month, while Spain will take on Croatia on the same day.

England beat Croatia 4-2 in June in its opening match in the group stage of the World Cup.

© 2026 AFP

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