It didn’t take England long to get up and running in Croatia on Saturday.
The Three Lions were out to follow up their 2-0 win over Czechia with another three points. And they came out of the blocks quickly in Rujevica. Josko Gvardiol’s pass out from the back was cut out by Marc Guehi. The ball eventually found its way to Jude Bellingham, who slid in Harry Kane to rifle past Dominik Livakovic.
Anthony Gordon came close to doubling England’s advantage minutes later, only for Livakovic to deny his Barcelona teammate as Thomas Tuchel’s side made a fast start in Croatia.
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With 20 minutes on the clock, England were two goals to the good. Gordon seemed to mis-control Bukayo Saka’s cross, but made amends to turn a low ball into Bellingham, who made no mistake from close range. The Barca man then picked out Saka at the back post, though the Arsenal man could only head over as the Vatreni struggled to contain England.
Gordon was again involved but was denied once more by Livakovic after a perfectly-timed run and ball by Bellingham. Third time was the charm for the former Newcastle United man, who headed Jarell Quansah’s fine cross past Livakovic to make it three goals from three in the UEFA Nations League.
England endured a couple of scares shortly before the break, however. First, Petar Musa headed wide before Mateo Kovacic robbed Manchester City teammate Elliot Anderson of the ball. Kovacic remained composed, only to fire wide from close range as Slaven Bilic’s side looked to end the first half in the ascendency.
However, Tuchel’s men ended any hopes of a comeback as Saka was presented with the easiest finish following some good work by Bellingham as Croatia struggled to contain the rampant Three Lions.
Shortly after the break, and England had a fifth. Kane bagged his second after Anderson out the ball on a plate for the Bayern hitman. And they came close to a sixth as Bellingham poked an effort just wide of the far post.
In the 68th minute, England begged goal number six after yet more dire Croatia defending. Saka was the man to benefit having been slipped in by Kane as the Arsenal star netted his second.
And there was time for substitute Morgan Rogers to add a seventh late on in a barnstorming England display on Saturday evening.
Brilliant Bellingham steals the show
It was remarkable that there were question marks over Jude Bellingham’s place in the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Bellingham duly silenced his critics with a starring display in North America over the summer.
And it was the midfielder again who excelled as England put Croatia to the sword. The Real Madrid man directly contributed to four of England’s seven goals. He scored one and provided a hat-trick of assists in Croatia.
Worryingly for the home side, it could have been more. Bellingham’s three assists came from eight chances created. He netted with one of four shots. The 23-year-old completed four take ons and made one tackle. This was Bellingham at his barnstorming best. Few, if any, are better on their day.
England’s left side sewn up
Thomas Tuchel started Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon down the left in England’s 2-0 win over Czechia. There is the familiarity of the duo, a partnership struck up during their respective time together at Newcastle United.
Any conundrums over the left side were well and truly quashed over the weekend. The pair compliment one another excellently. Gordon prefers to cut inside from the left. Hall doesn’t need a second invitation to overlap the Barcelona man.
44% of England’s attacks in Croatia came down the left flank as Hall and Gordon tore Croatia to shreds. No player completed more take ons that the former (4). Only Bellingham created more chances than the latter (4). It was a dynamic duo that played a key role in a resounding victory.
Croatia’s defensive concerns
Croatia’s starting backline wasn’t inexperienced by any stretch. Dominik Livakovic plies his trade for Barcelona. Full-backs Ivan Perisic and Josip Stanisic play for PSV and Bayern Munich, respectively. Josko Gvardiol and Luka Vuskovic start for Premier League pair Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, the quintet played like rank amateurs. A half-cut collective that would have struggled in a Sunday league game, let alone against one of the most potent attacks in world football.
Both of Bukayo Saka’s goals effectively epitomised a disastrous showing from the defence with the Arsenal man handed two easy finishes. And with a meeting with Spain to round off the international break, they need to buck their ideas up or risk another battering.