Kane and Bellingham star as England thrash Croatia

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Croatia 0 - 7 England

England produced arguably their most impressive performance under head coach Thomas Tuchel as they delivered a devastating attacking display to thrash Croatia

Author | George B

Stadium | Stadion HNK Rijeka

Pre match at Croatia v England

The game was officially staged behind closed doors as a sanction against Croatia supporters for previous bad behaviour, although 6,000 schoolchildren and 100 visiting fans were in attendance as rampant England ran riot to humiliate Slaven Bilic's side.

England had bounced back from their opening defeat by Spain at Wembley with a deserved victory against the Czech Republic in Prague, but they moved to another level to dismantle Croatia, 108 days after beating the same opposition 4-2 at the World Cup in Dallas.

A closer analysis of a great night for England and Thomas Tuchel

Harry Kane put England ahead after eight minutes, ruthlessly punishing a mistake by Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol. He took Jude Bellingham's pass in his stride before firing a finish high past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Bellingham doubled the lead after 21 minutes, finishing from close range after Anthony Gordon did brilliantly to bring Bukayo Saka's cross under control at the far post.

Gordon then added the third himself, his fourth goal in four games, heading home at the far post from Jarell Quansah's superb cross.

With England cutting through Croatia at will, Saka added a fourth on the stroke of half-time, finishing simply from Bellingham's delivery.

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England showed no sign of easing off after the interval, with Kane scoring again eight minutes into the second half by sliding in at the far post to turn Elliot Anderson's cross into the net.

Croatia were doing little to help themselves, and another piece of poor defending left Saka with a simple finish for 6-0. Substitute Morgan Rogers then joined the rout, rounding Livakovic before completing an emphatic scoreline.

It was a highly satisfactory night for Tuchel and England.

Location: Rijeka, Croatia

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