England delivered arguably their most impressive performance under head coach Thomas Tuchel as they produced a devastating attacking display to thrash Croatia in their Uefa Nations League match in Rijeka.

In an international that was labelled as behind closed doors as a sanction against Croatia supporters for previous bad behaviour, but which was attended by 6,000 schoolchildren and 100 visiting fans, rampant England ran riot to humiliate Slaven Bilic’s side.

England recovered from the opening defeat by Spain at Wembley with a deserved win against the Czech Republic in Prague – but moved on to a different level to destroy Croatia, 108 days after a 4-2 win against the same opposition at the World Cup in Dallas.

Harry Kane put England ahead after eight minutes, ruthlessly punishing a mistake by Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol by taking Jude Bellingham’s pass in his stride to rifle a finish high past Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic.

Bellingham scored the second 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 added the third himself, his fourth in four games, when he scored with a far post header from Jarell Quansah’s perfect cross.

As England pierced Croatia at will, Saka added the fourth on the stroke of half-time with another simple finish from Bellingham’s delivery.

England did not let up after the break, Kane scoring again eight minutes after the break, sliding in at the far post to turn in Elliot Anderson’s cross.

Croatia were not helping their own cause, more dreadful defending leaving Saka with a simple task to make it 6-0 and substitute Morgan Rogers getting in on the act to give the scoreline an even more emphatic look after rounding Livakovic.

It completed a highly satisfactory night for Tuchel and England.

England’s magnificent win in Croatia was built on brilliant individual performances from their four attacking players, who simply carried too much quality and firepower for a beleaguered home defence.

Rijeka has been a fortress for Croatia who had never lost there before – indeed they had lost only four of their previous 41 games at home – but it crumbled here in the face of a constant wave of England attacks.

If there is one qualification to be made amid the euphoria of such an outstanding display, it is that England were confronted by a shambolic Croatia side that was a shadow of the formidable force that has caused them so many problems in the past.

In the slightly surreal atmosphere in Rijeka, with the small stadium mainly populated by schoolchildren, England’s forward quartet were irresistible, demonstrating that at their best they could threaten any side.

England have shown far more attacking intent since criticism poured down on Tuchel after his timid tactics led to defeat in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Even if defeat against Spain, England were a genuine threat, that game turning on a rare Kane penalty miss that could have given them a 3-1 lead in a match they eventually losing 3-2.

Kane, it almost goes without saying, led from the front superbly once more against Croatia, opening the scoring, then adding his second, before setting up a goal for Saka.

Saka was on the mark twice and could have added more, while Gordon has been a revelation since making his move to Barcelona from Newcastle United.

Gordon has been England’s stand-out performer in these Nations League games, a creator and goalscorer on a hot streak that ends any debate about his place on the left flank.

Similar applies to Bellingham, who oozes world class after his place in England’s starting line-up was questioned before he had an outstanding World Cup campaign. On this occasion he scored one goal and provided three assists in a virtuoso individual display.

Rogers, who was Bellingham’s main rival for England’s ‘number 10’ role, showed he was still around with a late goal as Tuchel’s side demonstrated what a danger they can be with such an embarrassment of attacking riches.

This was the perfect night for England. (BBC)

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