Thomas Tuchel stated that England have finally moved past their World Cup heartbreak following a statement performance in Rijeka. The display resulted in Croatia’s largest-ever defeat, a outcome that solidified England’s hold on second place in their Nations League group and bolstered their aspirations for next year’s finals. The translation of the meetings on the pitch, to bring it within these circumstances in Croatia, to win this dominant performance is the way to move on, the focus in the meetings.
The match at Stadion HNK Rijeka took place under unique conditions; despite a Uefa-mandated ban on spectators due to previous racist and discriminatory behavior by the hosts, roughly 6,200 local children were permitted to attend for free. England’s attacking quartet proved lethal, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each netting twice, while Jude Bellingham became the first midfielder to record four goal involvements in a single match since David Platt in 1993. Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also contributed to the scoreline. Where 6,200 local schoolchildren were allowed in free of charge even though the game was supposed to take place behind close, tuchel was delighted after his front four combined to devastating effect at Stadion HNK Rijeka.
Reflecting on the team’s recovery from their recent World Cup semi-final exit, Tuchel emphasized the necessity of processing disappointment. “If you feel pain you have to lay with the pain,” he noted, adding that the squad’s consistency across their last three matches demonstrates a clear path forward. According to the manager, the players’ conviction and desire to play an aggressive, front-foot style makes his job easier as they look to build on this momentum. “They just want to play like this, it’s their belief and wish, their conviction,” Tuchel said. “We don’t have to convince them. We’ve played in the same manner all three matches.”.
Harry Kane, who is set to equal Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps during Tuesday’s upcoming home match against Czechia, described the victory as a Premier League-level performance. Now holding 89 international goals, the captain praised the group’s professionalism despite the comfortable surroundings of their training camp. “Every man was at the highest level,” Kane remarked, noting that Croatia—currently ranked 13th in the world—had identified this fixture as a crucial opportunity to secure a top-two finish. It was not easy at the beginning of the camp.
The match also served as the full international debut for Alex Scott. Tuchel praised the 23-year-old Bournemouth midfielder as a “complete package,” citing his ball control, decision-making, and defensive work rate. Scott expressed his own gratitude for the experience, admitting that it felt surreal to compete against Luka Modric, a player he idolized while growing up.
Looking ahead, Tuchel remains focused on maintaining this tactical edge. He highlighted that while the team must continue to manage risks, their willingness to press man-for-man remains a signature strength that the players believe in deeply. The result leaves England in a strong position to advance as they conclude this international camp.
