England crush Croatia 7-0 as Spain stay perfect with Czech victory

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice apiece as England demolished Luka Modric’s Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka on Saturday, however Spain stayed three factors clear at ​the highest of their Nations League group with a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic.

Jude Bellingham scored ‌as soon as and supplied three assists for England, with Anthony Gordon and substitute ​Morgan Rogers additionally on track in a efficiency captain Kane described as “unbelievable”.

England ⁠are second in League A, Group Three with six factors from three matches, behind Spain on 9. Croatia have three factors and the Czechs stay pointless.

“Unbelievable from begin to end,” Kane instructed ITV. “We ‌spoke so much about having a 90-minute sport from begin to end, being utterly dominant with the ball and with out the ball. That was it ‌proper there.”

Kane took his worldwide tally to 89 objectives in 124 appearances, shifting ‌inside ⁠one cap of Peter Shilton’s England report.

Requested about probably drawing degree with Shilton ⁠towards the Czech Republic on Tuesday, Kane stated: “Can be good. That’s the reason he (supervisor Thomas Tuchel) takes me off, to save lots of me for the subsequent one!”

England went forward after little greater than seven minutes when Josko ​Gvardiol misplaced possession and Bellingham launched ‌Kane, who slipped between two defenders and fired residence.

Bellingham doubled the lead within the twenty first minute after Gordon turned Saka’s cross again throughout aim. Gordon added the third within the thirty ninth, assembly Jarell Quansah’s cross with a first-time end.

Mateo Kovacic squandered a ‌close-range probability earlier than Bellingham crossed for an unmarked Saka to attain a minute ​earlier than halftime.

Elliot Anderson provided Kane’s second aim with a low cross within the 53rd minute, earlier than Josip Stanisic’s misplaced cross throughout his personal field ⁠gifted Saka one other aim within the 68th.

Bellingham launched Rogers to finish the rout three minutes from time.

“They could not dwell with our tempo, with our runs,” Kane stated.

SPAIN KEEP WINNING

World and European ‌champions Spain maintained their excellent begin in Oviedo regardless of coach Luis de la Fuente making 9 modifications to the facet that beat Croatia 4-1 on Tuesday.

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring within the sixth minute, curling a shocking left-footed shot into the highest nook from the sting of the field.

After Spain squandered a number of alternatives, captain Rodri doubled their benefit by changing a rebound inside the world, his first worldwide aim in additional than two years.

Jiri ‌Slama gave the guests hope within the 69th minute, ending a swift counter-attack with an angled shot simply ​inside David Raya’s proper publish.

Their probabilities of an equaliser light when Ladislav Krejci acquired a second reserving within the eighty fifth minute for holding again ⁠an opponent to cease a counter-attack.

Mikel Merino then sealed Spain’s victory, ending first time from inside ⁠the field following one other fast break.

In League B, Scotland received 2-0 at North Macedonia via objectives from Kieron Bowie and John McGinn earlier than Scott McKenna was ‌despatched off within the 83rd minute.

Switzerland got here from behind to beat Slovenia 2-1 in Luzern, with an Erik Janza personal aim and Dan Ndoye’s strike overturning Zan Vipotnik’s ​opener. The Swiss lead Group One on 9 factors, with Scotland and Slovenia degree on 4.

(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; enhancing by Clare Fallon)