UEFA Nations League

Thomas Tuchel’s side embarrassed an ageing Croatian side 7-0 in front of their home fans, effectively bringing the celebrated careers of Modric and Perisic to a symbolic end. Was the scoreline a result of Croatian stagnation or English brilliance? I think the answer lies somewhere firmly in between. In any event, here are the understandably inflated England player ratings.

GK: Jordan Pickford- 6/10

The stadium was quite tight on Saturday and Pickford may as well have taken a seat among the fans. Did well to deny Perisic when through on goal but had precious little to do. He was compelled to throw out a customary tv dive for a shot that was way off target. Still had a few shaky moments of distribution.

RB: Jarrel Quansah- 8/10

Quansah was doing his best to channel Trent on Saturday night, setting up Anthony Gordon’s goal with a wonderful curling cross from the right. Drifted infield throughout, picking up uncomfortable pockets of space. Sure, this was probably one of the easier assignments that he will have (no Vini Jr rampaging down that left-hand touchline). Nonetheless impressive.

CB: Marc Guehi- 7/10

This was as easy a night as any centre-back would want to have. And Guehi would have welcomed that off the following those back-to-back performances against Spain and the Czech Republic. He looked elegant in possession and offered impetus going forward.

CB: Ezri Konsa- 7/10

Pretty much a carbon copy of Guehi.

LB: Lewis Hall- 8/10

It is truly absurd that Tuchel never took Hall to the World Cup. His presence just offers such stability down that left-hand side. He interlinked with former Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon brilliantly. I think that Nico O’Reilly has been nudged out of the left-back starting berth.

CM: Elliot Anderson- 8/10

He did have one horror moment, nearly allowing Kovacic to score after being dispossessed on the edge of the box. But it was one blip in an otherwise authoritative showing. Ran Croatia’s aged midfield ragged in such a way that must have had them contemplating immediate retirement. Also showed his quality for England’s 5th, providing the final ball to finish off a quality England move.

CM: Alex Scott- 8/10

A picture of composure in his first England start. To be fair, debuts are unlikely to ever come as easy as this. Scott and Anderson bossed a midfield consisting of Modric and Kovacic. That would have been quite a statement a decade ago. But at a combined age of 73, that Croatian midfield was never going to withstand England’s dynamism. Scott won the ball high up the field and always seemed to have a progressive ball to play.

AM: Jude Bellingham- 9/10

Bellingham rivals Mbappe and Yamal when it comes to the international stage. The Real Madrid utility star has what it takes to leapfrog Kane and Charlton to become England’s greatest ever footballer. He scored and picked up an assist in a blistering first quarter of the game. He set up Saka just before the break before picking up another late assist for Rogers, making it eight goals and five assists since the start of the World Cup. He has enjoyed some iconic moments at Real, but he just unlocks another setting at international level.

RW: Bukayo Saka- 8/10

Saka needed that. And I think the rest of the England team knew that. Arsenal’s under-fire right-wing was the beneficiary of two selfless pieces of play by Bellingham and Kane, netting two close-range goals to silence some of the critics. Was a consistent outlet though he lacked the dynamism of Gordon.

LW: Anthony Gordon- 9/10

The Barca livewire was once again in scene-stealing mode, tormenting teammate Dominik Livakovic in a frightening all-action display. Did amazingly well to keep Saka’s cross alive in the buildup to England’s 2nd. Terrorized the static Croatian backline with his direct running and got on the scoresheet after heading home Quansah’s cross at the back-post (that is becoming his trademark). Gordon is the type of guy who will inspire youngsters to play the game.

ST: Harry Kane- 9/10

Harry Kane just did Harry Kane things, netting twice while providing a selfless assist for Bukayo Saka. He appeared to teleport around Stadion HNK Rijnek, popping up in every position save goalkeeper (perhaps he would have had a better chance if Trafford had been in goal). Kane just continues to amaze as the leader of this side.

Subs

James Garner (70th min for Scott)- 6/10

Showed good versatility by playing ten minutes in midfield and ten minutes at left-back.

Morgan Rogers (70th minute for Gordon- 7/10

Rogers had a solid little cameo, laying on the ball for what should have been Saka’s hat-trick before finding the net himself. Rogers is a solid guy to bring on to relieve the bid dawgs.

Eberechi Eze (70th minute for Kane)- 6/10

His cameo appearance summed up his season to date. Frustrated by a lack of playing time at Arsenal, the mercurial No.10 was probably hoping that the international break could give him a little pick-me-up. He looked a bit rushed and desperate to please, bungling the final counterattack with some sloppy play.

Morgan Gibbs-White (79th minute for Anderson)- n/a

Game had entered cryosleep by the time he entered proceedings.

Myles Lewis Skelly (79th minute for Hall)- n/a

See above. Replaced Hall at left-back but played in the heart of midfield.