England thrash Croatia 7-0 to record biggest win in their history against them

England produced a record-breaking performance by beating Croatia 7-0 in the third round of Nations League Group C fixtures.

The victory, in League A, moved England up to six points and left them second in the group, level temporarily with leaders Spain. Croatia remain third on three points.

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers were also on target as England secured their biggest-ever victory over Croatia.

A large number of children attended the match after receiving invitations from the Croatian Football Federation. Some held up banners reading “You will not be going home”, but Croatia were instead beaten heavily by England.

England in control from the start

England took the lead after eight minutes when Kane finished a pass from Bellingham.

Bellingham then doubled the advantage in the 21st minute, converting a well-delivered ball from Gordon to put the visitors firmly in control.

Gordon added England’s third in the 39th minute, heading home a precise cross from Jarell Quansah.

Croatia’s first-half problems worsened just before the interval when Saka made it 4-0 after receiving an excellent pass from Bellingham.

Kane scored his second and England’s fifth eight minutes after the restart. He met a cross from Elliott Anderson to extend the lead in the 53rd minute.

Saka completed his own brace in the 68th minute, taking advantage of an error by the Croatian defence before placing the ball into the net.

Morgan Rogers completed the scoring three minutes from time. Bellingham supplied the pass, allowing Rogers to run through one-on-one with the Croatia goalkeeper and finish England’s seventh.

The result gave England their largest winning margin against Croatia and kept them in pursuit of Spain at the top of the group.