Evening Standard
·3 October 2026
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·3 October 2026
Three Lions ripped World Cup opponents to shreds in Nations League mauling
England handed Croatia their heaviest-ever defeat as they stormed to a 7-0 win in Rijeka in the Nations League.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice and there were further goals from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers as Croatia were hammered by Thomas Tuchel’s team.
Victory briefly moved them top of League A3, before Spain host Czech Republic later on Saturday evening.
Dom Smith was on hand to rate the England players’ performances…
Jordan Pickford 6
Kept a clean sheet but had very little to do on his return to the team.
Jarell Quansah 7
Earned a cracking assist and played well as he was brought back into the team.
Immediate impact: Jarell Quansah
AFP/Getty
Ezri Konsa 6
Not tested at the back but solid as he came into the team following an injury that kept him out against the Czech Republic.
Very good at turning over possession and was involved in the lead-up to the opening goal. Good in the air.
Lewis Hall 6
Solid again as he kept his place in the team. Didn’t do anything remarkable.
Elliot Anderson 8
Assisted Kane’s second goal and was absolutely everywhere in midfield for England.
Alex Scott 7
Really confident on his first start for England. Coped very well against an experienced Croatian midfield.

Decent debut: Alex Scott
PA
Should have scored a hat-trick. Netted two confidently but then fired over when he should have made it three. Played very well.
The best player on the pitch. Worked incredibly hard, assisting three goals and scoring one of his own.
Anthony Gordon 8
Excellent work saw him assist Bellingham’s goal, and after missing a sitter he added a goal to make it four goals in his last fast England games.

Two-goal hero: Harry Kane
PA
Harry Kane 9
Worked his socks off defensively and chipped in with two goals and an assist.
Subs:
James Garner (Scott, 70’) 5
Slotted in at left-back when he came on.
Eberechi Eze (Gordon, 70’) 6
Some nice forays forward with the ball but no end product.
Was a lively addition off the bench and scored a fantastic seventh goal as he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted in.
Morgan Gibbs-White (Anderson, 79’) N/A
Myles Lewis-Skelly (Hall, 79’) N/A







































