England run riot in Rijeka as Croatia suffer their biggest defeat in history

Slaven Bilić

RIJEKA, Croatia – England produced a commanding performance to thrash Croatia 7-0 in their UEFA Nations League clash at Rujevica Stadium in Rijeka on Saturday night.

It is the first time Croatia has ever conceded seven goals in a match and the biggest defeat in their history. 

England would dominate from the get-go, with Croatia struggling to touch the ball as the visitors took control and created chance after chance.

The match had originally been scheduled to take place behind closed doors, but UEFA permitted just over 6,300 local children, coaches and teachers to attend, while around 6,000 England supporters were also in the stadium.

Croatia struggled to get into the game during the opening 20 minutes, barely seeing the ball as England pressed high and moved it quickly.

England took the lead when Joško Gvardiol’s misplaced pass in midfield was picked up by Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder played Harry Kane through, and the captain made no mistake, calmly finishing to make it 1-0.

England doubled their advantage in the 21st minute.

Bukayo Saka delivered from the right towards the far post, where Anthony Gordon controlled the ball before cutting it back for Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder finished from close range to put England two goals ahead.

Croatia briefly appeared to ease the pressure, but England soon struck again.

Jarell Quansah delivered from the right and Gordon was left unmarked in the box. He rose to head past Dominik Livaković and make it 3-0.

England continued to exploit gaps in the Croatian defence and added a fourth before half-time.

Bellingham supplied the cross from the left and Saka was left completely unmarked around five metres from goal, making no mistake with the finish.

Croatia were unable to turn the tide after the interval.

Just eight minutes into the second half, Elliot Anderson found space down the left and sent the ball into the box. Kane was unmarked and calmly finished to make it 5-0 and complete his second goal of the night.

England added a sixth later in the match after another defensive error from Croatia.

Stanišić’s attempted pass across his own penalty area went straight to an England player, allowing Saka to be played through. The Arsenal forward kept his composure to slot the ball past Livaković.  England made it 7-0 when Rogers rounded Livaković after being put through on goal. 

It was a night which coach Slaven Bilić will want to forget in a hurry and he would have been glaad when the final whistle went as it could have easily been more.

CROATIA starting XI (4-2-3-1): Livaković – Stanišić, Vušković, Gvardiol, Perišić – Modrić, Kovačić – Ivanović, Petar Sučić, Baturina – Musa

ENGLAND starting XI (4-3-3): Pickford – Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, Hall – Anderson, Bellingham, Scott – Saka, Kane, Gordon

The defeat leaves Croatia third in the group, behind Spain and England.

Croatia will now look to respond on Tuesday when they face Spain at Poljud Stadium in Split in their next Nations League fixture.