Harry Kane became the first England player in 78 years to net in six consecutive away games, as his brace helped Thomas Tuchel’s side destroy Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka, while emphatically consolidating second place in Group A3 of the UEFA Nations League.
In theory, this was a behind-closed-doors contest, as part of Croatia’s punishment for crowd trouble in the 2024/25 Nations League playoffs. However, the hosts used a UEFA loophole to invite 6,000 children, ensuring there was plenty of noise at the Stadion HNK Rijeka.
Yet it was the distinctly lower pitch of 100 England fans that could be heard in only the eighth minute, when Harry Kane was given far too much space by Croatia’s backline, and neatly controlled Jude Bellingham’s through ball before thumping it emphatically into the top corner.
With the home side on the ropes, Bellingham soon turned goalscorer, when Anthony Gordon expertly plucked Bukayo Saka’s deep cross out of the air and drove the ball towards the near post for the Real Madrid star to prod past Dominik Livakovic.
Kane scores
Gordon was a constant threat throughout a one-sided first period, and he headed in from Jarrell Quansah’s inviting delivery for the third goal, notching an assist that vindicated Tuchel’s decision to recall the Bayer Leverkusen defender. A fourth then quickly followed, when Saka tapped in from Bellingham’s squared ball after being left undetected in the six-yard box.
