Football

Tuchel Praises England's Dominant 7-0 Nations League Victory Over Croatia

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 4, 2026, 10:27 IST

Thomas Tuchel hailed a complete performance as England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League, featuring braces from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka alongside a standout display from Jude Bellingham.

Tuchel Praises England's Dominant 7-0 Nations League Victory Over Croatia

England produced a statement performance in the Nations League on Saturday, dismantling Croatia 7-0 in a clinical display in Rijeka. The result marks the most significant victory of Thomas Tuchel’s tenure, with the visitors maintaining intensity from the opening whistle to the final minute to secure a comprehensive win.

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both secured braces in the rout, while Jude Bellingham delivered a standout individual performance, contributing a goal and providing three assists. Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also found the back of the net to round off a dominant afternoon for the Three Lions.

A Complete Tactical Display

Reflecting on the match, Tuchel praised the consistency of his squad, noting that the intensity remained high throughout the entire 90 minutes. The manager highlighted the fluidity of his team’s attacking play during the opening 40 minutes and commended the players for their relentless pressure and disciplined defensive work against the Croatian side.

Tuchel emphasized that the victory was built on executing the basics effectively, maintaining a humble approach, and staying hungry in their counter-pressing. He described the effort as a complete performance, noting that every player, whether starting or coming off the bench, operated at the highest level.

Building Momentum in the Nations League

Captain Harry Kane, who extended his England goal-scoring record to 89, echoed his manager’s sentiments regarding the team's dominance. Kane noted that the squad had focused on maintaining control both with and without the ball, and he credited their physical superiority for overwhelming the opposition. According to the captain, the team is at its most effective when playing with freedom and high-intensity movement.

The victory serves as a significant recovery for England following their opening defeat to Spain. After securing a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic earlier in the week, this latest result puts the team in a strong position within their group. England is now looking ahead to their final match of the international break, where they will host the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

A win in that upcoming fixture would move England closer to securing a top-two finish, which is required to guarantee a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals. For Kane, the match will also carry personal significance; should he feature, he will equal Peter Shilton’s record of 125 appearances for the Three Lions.