Croatia 0-7 England: Kane and Saka Doubles in Croatia's Heaviest-Ever Defeat as Spain Stay Perfect

England beat Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka on Saturday, the biggest win of Thomas Tuchel's time in charge. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each. Jude Bellingham scored once and set up three goals, as England beat the 2018 World Cup finalists for the second time in four months.

The goals

The match was played without a normal crowd, a punishment for trouble involving Croatia fans against France in 2025. About 6,000 local schoolchildren and 100 England supporters were allowed into Stadion HNK Rijeka. England led after eight minutes.

• 8' Alex Scott, making his first England start, played in Bellingham, whose pass sent Kane through to finish into the roof of the net.
• 21' Bellingham finished a 27-pass move after Anthony Gordon volleyed Saka's high cross back into the six-yard box.
• 39' Gordon scored with a diving header from Jarell Quansah's cross.
• 45' Saka tapped in after Bellingham's drag-back left Luka Modric behind.
• 53' Kane slid in to finish Elliot Anderson's cross.
• 68' Saka scored the sixth from Kane's pass after another Croatian mistake.
• 87' Substitute Morgan Rogers rounded Dominik Livakovic to finish Bellingham's pass.

Records

According to UEFA, it was a record defeat for Croatia. World Soccer Talk notes that their previous worst was 6-0 against Spain in September 2018. Kane's double took his England record to 89 goals. Al Jazeera reports he has now scored in six England away games in a row.

For Gordon, it was four goals in his last four England games. Quansah's assist was also a reply to critics who wanted Trent Alexander-Arnold to keep his place after starting the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic.

ESPN reports that Tuchel called it a "complete performance". England have two wins from three games in Group A3 and are chasing a top-two finish and a quarter-final place in March. They play the Czech Republic again at Wembley on Tuesday.

Spain win three in a row

Spain, who beat England 3-2 at Wembley in the opening round, beat Czechia 3-1. According to UEFA, Lamine Yamal opened the scoring with a curling shot and Rodri made it 2-0. Jiří Sláma pulled a goal back for Czechia, and Ladislav Krejčí was sent off late on before Mikel Merino scored the third. UEFA says it is the first time Spain have won their first three Nations League games.

The rest of Matchday 3

Thursday 1 October (League A): Wales 2-1 Norway, Greece 2-2 Netherlands, Germany 2-0 Serbia, Denmark 2-4 Portugal

Friday 2 October (League A): France 1-1 Italy, Belgium 3-0 Türkiye

Saturday 3 October: North Macedonia 0-2 Scotland, Switzerland 2-1 Slovenia, Finland 2-1 Albania, Belarus 4-0 San Marino, Estonia 1-0 Luxembourg, Iceland 3-0 Bulgaria

Zinedine Zidane's France were held by Italy in Paris despite a stunning goal from Michael Olise. In League B, Poland beat Romania 6-0.

What it means

The win gives Tuchel's project fresh momentum after the World Cup. The bigger test is the return meeting with Spain, who have now beaten England, Croatia and Czechia.

Key takeaways

• England won 7-0 in Rijeka, Croatia's record defeat, with doubles from Kane and Saka.
• Kane now has 89 England goals, and Bellingham had a goal and three assists.
• Spain beat Czechia 3-1 and are three from three for the first time in the Nations League.
• England host the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday.

FAQ

Why was the stadium nearly empty? Croatia were punished for crowd trouble in a 2025 match against France. Only about 6,000 schoolchildren and 100 England fans were allowed in.

Was this Croatia's heaviest defeat? Yes. UEFA called it a record defeat. Croatia's previous worst was 6-0 against Spain in 2018.

Who scored for Spain against Czechia? Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino. Jiří Sláma scored for Czechia.

Sources: Al Jazeera, UEFA, The FA (englandfootball.com), ESPN, World Soccer Talk, Sports Mole