ENGLAND 7-0 CROATIA | UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE
England produced one of the biggest results of the 2026 UEFA Nations League by defeating Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also found the net as Croatia suffered the heaviest defeat in their international history.
England defeated Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka in the UEFA Nations League. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored two goals each, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers adding the other three. The result became Croatia biggest international defeat, surpassing their previous 6-0 loss to Spain in 2018. Luka Modric reacted strongly after the match and said it was the first time in his long international career that he had felt ashamed following a Croatia game.
In This Guide
What Happened in Croatia vs England?
England travelled to Rijeka expecting a demanding international contest against a Croatia side with years of experience at the highest level.
Instead, the match developed into an extraordinary night for Thomas Tuchel team and a historic low for Croatia.
England repeatedly found space in the Croatian defence and converted their attacking superiority into seven goals.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored two goals each, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers added one apiece.
The final score of 7-0 immediately entered the history books because Croatia had never previously lost an international match by such a large margin.
England 7-0 victory became Croatia heaviest defeat in international football history.
Who Scored for England Against Croatia?
Five different England players scored during the remarkable victory, demonstrating the attacking depth available to Thomas Tuchel.
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Harry Kane | 2 |
| Bukayo Saka | 2 |
| Jude Bellingham | 1 |
| Anthony Gordon | 1 |
| Morgan Rogers | 1 |
Kane and Saka were the leading scorers with two goals each, but England ability to generate goals from several positions made the performance particularly impressive.
Why Was Croatia 0-7 England Historic?
Croatia have been one of international football most competitive national teams in the modern era, making the scale of this defeat especially surprising.
Before the England match, Croatia previous heaviest defeat was a 6-0 loss against Spain in 2018.
The seven-goal defeat therefore established a new unwanted record for the Croatian national team.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Croatia vs England — 2026 | 0-7 |
| Spain vs Croatia — 2018 | 6-0 |
The result attracted even more attention because Croatia still possess experienced international players, including veteran captain Luka Modric.
What Did Luka Modric Say After the 7-0 Defeat?
Luka Modric reaction became one of the biggest talking points following the match.
The Croatia captain was deeply critical of the performance and highlighted problems with aggression, competitiveness and togetherness.
Modric said that during roughly two decades with the national team, he had never previously experienced the same feeling of shame after a Croatia match.
He acknowledged England superiority but made clear that the manner of the defeat was unacceptable for a Croatian team that has built a strong international reputation over many years.
For Modric, the biggest concern was not simply losing the match. It was the manner of Croatia collapse and the lack of the competitive qualities normally associated with the national team.
Why Modric Reaction Matters
Modric has been at the centre of Croatia greatest period in international football.
He has represented his country on the biggest stages and has experienced both major victories and painful defeats.
That history makes such a strong public reaction significant.
His comments suggest the players viewed the 7-0 defeat as much more than a bad result. It was a performance that challenged the standards Croatia have established during their most successful era.
Jude Bellingham Shines for England
Jude Bellingham was another important figure in England dominant performance.
The midfielder scored one of England seven goals and played an influential role as his team repeatedly created opportunities against the Croatian defence.
His movement between midfield and attack provided England with another threat alongside Kane, Saka and the other attacking players.
Bellingham performance once again underlined his importance to England as Thomas Tuchel continues shaping the team.
Bellingham influence extended beyond his goal, with his movement and attacking involvement contributing to England overall dominance.
Harry Kane Continues His Remarkable England Record
Harry Kane once again demonstrated why he remains England most important goalscorer.
The captain scored twice during the 7-0 victory and continued adding to his remarkable international scoring record.
England did not slow down after establishing a comfortable advantage. They continued attacking and searching for additional goals.
That mentality helped turn what could have been a comfortable victory into a historic result.
Bukayo Saka Scores Twice
Bukayo Saka matched Kane with two goals of his own.
The England winger repeatedly caused problems for Croatia through his movement and ability to attack space.
Croatia struggled to contain England wide players as the match progressed, and Saka took full advantage.
His contribution alongside Kane and Bellingham demonstrated the range of attacking options available to England.
What Does the 7-0 Victory Mean for England?
The result provides England with a major confidence boost.
Winning away against Croatia would normally be considered an excellent result by itself. Winning by seven goals makes the performance significantly more notable.
England showed that several attacking players can contribute simultaneously and that the team can maintain pressure even after taking a commanding lead.
For Thomas Tuchel, the next challenge will be reproducing that level of intensity and efficiency consistently against Europe strongest national teams.
What Does the Defeat Mean for Croatia?
Croatia now face the difficult task of recovering from the worst defeat in their international history.
A heavy defeat can affect confidence, but Modric message after the match focused heavily on unity and restoring the competitive identity that has defined Croatia for years.
The response in Croatia next matches will therefore receive considerable attention.
- How quickly can Croatia recover psychologically?
- Will the coaching staff make major tactical changes?
- Can the defence respond after conceding seven goals?
- How will the experienced players react?
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Croatia vs England score?
England defeated Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka in the UEFA Nations League.
Who scored for England against Croatia?
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers scored one goal each.
Was 7-0 Croatia biggest defeat?
Yes. The 7-0 loss against England became the heaviest defeat in Croatia international history.
What was Croatia previous biggest defeat?
Croatia previous heaviest loss was a 6-0 defeat against Spain in 2018.
What did Luka Modric say?
Modric strongly criticised Croatia performance and said the defeat left him with a feeling he had not experienced during his long career with the national team.
How many goals did Harry Kane score?
Harry Kane scored two goals in England 7-0 victory.
How many goals did Bukayo Saka score?
Bukayo Saka also scored twice against Croatia.
Who else scored for England?
Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers each scored one goal.
Final Thoughts
England 7-0 victory over Croatia will be remembered as one of the most remarkable international results of 2026.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice each, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also contributed goals during a dominant England performance.
For Croatia, the result represented an unwanted piece of history as the national team suffered its heaviest defeat ever.
Luka Modric emotional reaction after the match demonstrated how seriously the result was viewed inside the Croatian camp.
England can use the victory as evidence of their attacking potential, while Croatia must now prove that the historic defeat was an isolated collapse rather than the beginning of a deeper problem.
Reuters — England 7-0 Croatia match report.
Reuters — Luka Modric reaction following Croatia historic defeat.
ESPN — Croatia vs England match coverage.
