England beat Croatia 7-0 in Nations League as Kane and Saka score twice
In short
England defeated Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka in the third round of Group Three in League A of the UEFA Nations League, according to WAM and an AP report carried by Aletihad. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice, with Kane extending his national record to 89 international goals. England moved to six points from three games, while Croatia stayed on three points.
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England beat Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka on Saturday in the third round of Group Three in League A of the UEFA Nations League, according to WAM and an AP report published by Aletihad. The win took England to six points from three games, while Croatia stayed on three points, WAM reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored two goals each, Aletihad's report said. Kane opened the scoring in the eighth minute, controlling a pass from Jude Bellingham and curling the ball into the top left corner, and added his second after the break from a cross by Elliot Anderson. The report said Kane extended his national record to 89 international goals. Anthony Gordon set up Bellingham for England's second and scored one himself, Saka side-footed in England's fourth before halftime, and substitute Morgan Rogers completed the scoring, according to the same report. [ 2 ]
Aletihad reported that the result eclipsed England's previous highest score against Croatia, a 5-1 win in World Cup qualifying in 2009 at Wembley, and that it was another difficult match for Croatia coach Slaven Bilić following a 4-1 loss in Spain the previous Tuesday. Croatia have conceded 12 goals in three matches, the report said, adding that Luka Modric started in Rijeka and appeared frustrated by his team's performance. [ 2 ]
WAM's report gave the final score and the points position of both teams without further match detail. Aletihad's article also noted other League A, League B fixtures scheduled later the same day, including Spain hosting Czechia in Oviedo. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The result puts England on six points from three Group Three games in League A, while Croatia remains on three points after a second heavy defeat in a week. For Croatian coach Slaven Bilić, the match follows a 4-1 loss in Spain and leaves his side with 12 goals conceded in three matches, as reported by Aletihad.
Key facts
- England beat Croatia 7-0 in the third round of Group Three in League A of the UEFA Nations League, played in Rijeka. [ 1 , 2 ]
- England have six points after three games, while Croatia remain on three points. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored two goals. [ 2 ]
- Kane's goals extended his national record to 89 international goals. [ 2 ]
- The 7-0 result eclipsed England's previous highest score against Croatia, a 5-1 win in World Cup qualifying in 2009 at Wembley. [ 2 ]
- Croatia have conceded 12 goals in three matches and were beaten 4-1 in Spain the previous Tuesday. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Attendance, line-ups and post-match comments from either coach were not reported. Neither document includes this information.
- Goal-by-goal details, including the scorers of England's other goals and the match minute of each, come only from the AP report carried by Aletihad. Single-source detail; WAM's report gives only the final score and the points standings.