England thrash Croatia 7-0 as Kane and Saka score twice

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice as England produced a dominant 7-0 victory over Luka Modric’s Croatia in Rijeka on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham added a goal and three assists, while Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers were also on the scoresheet in a performance captain Kane described as “unbelievable”.

The result leaves England second in League A, Group Three of the Nations League with six points from three matches. Spain remain three points clear at the summit after beating the Czech Republic 3-1, while Croatia have three points and the Czechs are still without a point.

“Unbelievable from start to finish,” Kane told ITV. “We spoke a lot about having a 90-minute game from start to finish, being completely dominant with the ball and without the ball. That was it right there.”

Kane’s first goal took his international tally to 89 in 124 appearances, leaving him one cap short of Peter Shilton’s England record.

Asked whether he might equal Shilton’s record against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, Kane said: “Would be nice. That is why he [manager Thomas Tuchel] takes me off, to save me for the next one.”

England moved ahead after just over seven minutes when Josko Gvardiol gave the ball away. Bellingham sent Kane through, and the captain moved between two defenders before finishing.

Bellingham made it 2-0 in the 21st minute after Gordon turned Saka’s cross back into the danger area. Gordon then scored the third in the 39th minute, converting Jarell Quansah’s cross with a first-time finish.

Croatia missed an opportunity to respond when Mateo Kovacic failed to score from close range. Instead, Bellingham delivered a cross to the unmarked Saka, who struck just before half-time.

Elliot Anderson created Kane’s second with a low delivery in the 53rd minute. Saka added his second 15 minutes later when Josip Stanisic misplaced a pass across his own penalty area.

Bellingham then released Rogers, who completed the rout three minutes before full-time.

“They couldn’t live with our pace, with our runs,” Kane said.

Spain maintain perfect record

World and European champions Spain preserved their winning start in Oviedo, despite coach Luis de la Fuente making nine changes to the team that defeated Croatia 4-1 on Tuesday.

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a superb left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area, curling the ball into the top corner.

Spain missed several chances before captain Rodri converted a rebound inside the area for his first international goal in more than two years.

The Czech Republic reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Jiri Slama finished a fast counter-attack with an angled shot inside David Raya’s right-hand post.

Their hopes of an equaliser were damaged when Ladislav Krejci was shown a second booking in the 85th minute for holding an opponent to stop another counter-attack. Mikel Merino then secured Spain’s win with a first-time finish from inside the box after a further quick break.

In League B, Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 through goals from Kieron Bowie and John McGinn, before Scott McKenna was sent off in the 83rd minute.

Switzerland came from behind to defeat Slovenia 2-1 in Luzern. An own goal by Erik Janza and a strike from Dan Ndoye overturned Zan Vipotnik’s opener. Switzerland lead Group One with nine points, while Scotland and Slovenia have four apiece.