For the third match in this quartet of Nations League ties, England travelled to Croatia for another vital game. It was played in a three-sided stadium and England produced a scintillating performance that we had been craving for a very long time. Full of passion, skill, determination, and a will to win, as well as some exceptional and clinical finishing. It is a joy to write all those words.

From the very first whistle England were really up for this one and pushed forward relentlessly. Anthony Gordon was the first to test the home goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, quickly followed by a corner and free-kick that came to nothing. England were pressing well, forcing Croatia back and not allowing them to get into a rhythm. It came as no real surprise when the visitors opened the scoring with a cracking goal. Alex Scott, who dovetailed brilliantly with Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham in the midfield, started the move finding Bellingham, who in turn threaded a great pass into the path of Harry Kane who wasted no time in hitting an unstoppable shot past the keeper. In my last report on the Czech game I said that 87 goal Kane may reach his ton in his next innings, but didn't realise he would try! The ton was on the cards!

Two minutes later Gordon was through again only for Livakovic to foil him again. Already it was great to see the way that England, after losing possession, were like terriers in regaining it again. Anderson, Scott and Bellingham were working their socks off and it was obvious that more chances would come. On 12 minutes Kane whipped in a cross to Bukayo Saka but an offside flag intervened when a goal looked likely. At the other end of the pitch, the defence looked solid and composed although in one breakaway Jordon Pickford had to be quickly off his line to stop Ivan Perisic getting to the ball first. It had certainly been all action for the first quarter of an hour.

Another good England move ended with Saka's cross being deflected for a corner and the Croatian defence looked decidedly uncomfortable under pressure. Great play by Lewis Hall, who had a fine game, almost created another chance but Croatia scrambled the ball away. It was a respite that was short-lived as on 21 minutes another great goal made it 2-0. A deep cross from Saka was brilliantly controlled by Gordon who, in turn, then laid the ball across goal for Bellingham to prod home from close range. For the next few minutes Croatia pressed forward but the England defence dealt with everything and soon the visitors were rampaging forward again.

A quick break saw Gordon again at the centre of things and his cross was met by Saka who this time headed just over the crossbar. They looked certain to score a third goal on 25 minutes when Bellingham's fine cross found Gordon but somehow his shot struck the keeper's chest and bounced clear. More chances quickly followed with Anderson shooting over and then Kane's shot was deflected for a corner. England were so tenacious in winning back possession and Croatia just could not stop them. The passing was crisp and accurate too, as we reached 35 minutes in a free-flowing game. Four minutes later and England added a third goal to their tally, and it was another cracker. A fine move down the right this time ended with a perfect cross from Jarell Quansah, another who had a fine match, and there was Gordon diving to head another goal. Two headers for Gordon, it was like London Buses!

Straight after that there was a lucky let-off for England as Mateo Kovacic picked up possession and his mazy dribble past four England players opened up the goal for what should have been a certain score. To everyone's amazement he shot wide from five yards! With England now taking their foot off the pedal as the half drew to a close Croatia were able to have a spell of pressure. However, good blocking and determined defending prevented any chance of a goal. Not only that, right on half-time England answered this spell of home pressure by breaking fast to score goal number four. Bellingham and Gordon combined down the left and Bellingham's cross is perfect for Saka to tap home from close in.

That had to be one of the best halves by an England team to be so dominant against a top ten European side. Great pressing, great passing and deadly finishing. The Croatians left the field well and truly shellshocked!

Sometimes in the past England's second-half performance is less satisfying than the first-half, but not this time. They restarted with the same fierce attitude to win and their play was relentless. Two minutes into the half though Croatia's Igor Matanovic, one of three second-half substitutes, shot just wide with Pickford groping. That was a very isolated incident though and soon England were back. On 52 minutes Bellingham again set up Gordon before another desperate clearance saved the day. However, a minute later, what stuffing remained with Croatia was brutally knocked out of them with a fifth goal. Lovely one-touch play left Anderson clear and his cross was converted at the far post by a stretching Kane for goal number 89 in his wonderful total. Then three minutes later it was almost another as this time England broke up another Croatia attack and Gordon sent Bellingham clear with a fine pass. Bellingham was in and as the goalkeeper came out he flicked the ball wide of him, but also just wide of the far post. The England player's fury at his miss was very evident.

One noticeable thing from the start was how, when one defender was beaten another England defender would be there to clear. Matanovic put in another shot which was deflected wide and the corner was cleared and England moved forward quickly again. After 68 minutes the last thing the Croatia team wanted was an horrendous error at the back. Sadly, that is exactly what happened. Not sure what Josip Stanisic was trying to do but his pass across his own box was chested down by Saka and he passed to Kane. Unselfishly, Kane returned the ball to Saka and it was goal number six for England. The thought went through my mind, was I dreaming?

So impressed with Bellingham and his latest cross was this time headed over by Saka. Also Hall had been tireless in his defensive and attacking play and he is a real find at left-back and he was my man-of-the-match. England made five substitutions around the 75th minute. With five minutes left Bellingham is still surging forward and then substitute Morgan Rogers is through and clear of the defence. He rounds the keeper and guides his shot in for number seven, repeat, number seven! I doubt whether Pickford would agree with me but the passionate Croatia adoring fans might have deserved a goal to cheer, but it was never going to happen even though Nikola Vlasic went very close when shooting wide near the end.

This was without doubt one of the most complete England performances I can remember. Every player was on top of his game and there were no weak links. This was a thrashing in no uncertain terms and a record home defeat for one of the better teams, and that says it all.
  

Source Notes