England inflicted Croatia's heaviest defeat with a ruthless 7-0 triumph in Rijeka which strengthens their UEFA Nations League qualification prospects.
Thomas Tuchel's men were utterly imperious as they dismantled a lacklustre Croatia who offered little fight in a remarkably one-sided contest.
The Three Lions got their breakthrough after just seven minutes with their first shot on target as Jude Bellingham played a piercing pass through the Croatian defence into the feet of Harry Kane, who controlled and finished with aplomb into the far corner.
England then doubled their advantage on 21 minutes thanks to an excellent bit of improvisation from Anthony Gordon, who plucked Bukayo Saka's cross out of the air and recycled across the six-yard box to where Bellingham stabbed home.
England's supremacy continued as they fashioned an abundance of chances, carving the Croatian backline open with remarkable ease, and they had their third before 40 minutes.
Jarell Quansah collected a pass out right and whipped in a teasing cross which Gordon, who could easily have scored twice beforehand, directed beyond the Dominik Livakovic with his head.
All that could undermine England was complacency and Elliot Anderson was guilty of it as he was dispossessed on the edge of his own penalty area, but fortunately for the midfielder, his Manchester City team-mate Mateo Kovacic spurned the gilt-edged opportunity by blazing wide of the post from 10 yards.
It was a miss that embodied Croatia's abysmal performance and to compound their woes, England made it four on the stroke of half-time as Bellingham wriggled away from his defender to find Bukayo Saka unmarked and the winger had the easiest tap-in of his career.
You could argue the interval came at an ideal time for the hosts, but England's dominance continued into the second half as Kane chalked up his second of the night by latching onto Anderson's low cross.
England profited from another careless Croatia mistake as Josip Stanisic's wayward pass was intercepted by Saka in the penalty area, and he received a pass from Kane to find the top corner.
The latter stages presented the substitutes with an opportunity to get in on the act and Morgan Rogers duly obliged, latching onto Bellingham's sumptuous path before showing excellent composure to round Livakovic and finish.
For the 100 England supporters that made the trip to Rijeka, it was a night to remember.
England Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford - 6
A rather mundane outing for the England shot-stopper, who had just the one save to make all evening.
Fortunate to keep the clean sheet given Kovacic's miss, but that's his 48th England shutout - the half-century is in his sights.
Jarell Quansah - 7
A sublime Trent-esque cross for England's third. There was slight intrigue at his return, but he silenced any of his critics with a strong performance.
Excellent positioning in possession, stepping inside and creating the passing lanes for England to attack.
Ezri Konsa - 7
Both Konsa and his centre-back partner Guehi were largely untroubled in Rijeka. Solid at the back when called upon.
Marc Guehi - 7
I don't think Guehi will have had an easier night. Dealt with the minimal threat that Croatia posed.
Most importantly the mistake against Spain last week hasn't dented his confidence in stepping on the ball.
Lewis Hall - 7
Played with conviction in the opposition half and defended resiliently in 1v1 situations. Great drive to carry England forward from deep.
Elliot Anderson - 7
Lapse in concencration went unpunished by Kovacic as he was caught dawdling in possession on the edge of his own box, but yet another measured and composed showing from the Man City man.
Showed superb energy and determination to create the fifth goal, and was key in making passes into the final third which allowed England's front four to wreak havoc.
Alex Scott - 7
An assured first start from the Bournemouth man, who demonstrated why he'd been included in the squad.
Could have been easy for him to try and overimpress but he kept things simple, as showcased in the first goal as he picked up Josko Gvardiol's loose pass and found Bellingham.
Bukayo Saka - 8
I imagine even he was astounded at all the space he was given inside the box for England's fourth.
Two goals, a livewire on the right with his relentless movement and he worked several great openings with some excellent footwork.
Jude Bellingham - 9
A goal, three assists and at the heart of everything England fashioned moving forward.
Utmost precision in the pass to Kane's feet to split Croatia for the opener. Right place, right time for England's second of the night.
Baffling to think there were question marks about his place in this team only a few months ago.
Anthony Gordon - 9
Simply unstoppable at the moment. Played on the front foot and with full confidence. Sublime touch and awareness to create the second goal.
Missed a gilt-edged chance to put England three in front, but made no mistake when connecting with Quansah's cross.
Harry Kane - 8
Give him a sniff in the penalty area and he'll punish you. Expert marksmanship for the first goal and the trademark run and finish for his second.
Played his customary quarterback role by spraying passes wide for Gordon and Saka to chase.
Substitutes:
- Eberechi Eze (for Gordon, 70') - 6
- James Garner (for Scott, 70') - 6
- Morgan Rogers (for Kane, 70') - 7
- Morgan Gibbs-White (for Anderson, 79') - 6
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (for Hall, 79') - 6
Croatia v England Match Stats
Croatia | 0-7 | England |
36% | Possession | 64% |
1.37 | Expected Goals | 6.14 |
12 | Shots | 19 |
1 | Shots on Target | 10 |
4 | Goalkeeper Saves | 1 |
10 | Fouls Committed | 6 |
1 | Corners | 6 |
422 | Total Passes | 745 |
86% | Pass Accuracy | 92% |
15 | Tackles | 19 |
20 | Clearances | 4 |
1 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
Croatia v England Timeline
8' - Goal for England. Scored by Harry Kane, assisted by Jude Bellingham.
21' - Goal for England. Scored by Jude Bellingham, assisted by Anthony Gordon.
39' - Goal for England. Scored by Anthony Gordon, assisted by Jarell Quansah.
45' - Goal for England. Scored by Bukayo Saka, assisted by Jude Bellingham.
53' - Goal for England. Scored by Harry Kane, assisted by Elliot Anderson.
68' - Goal for England. Scored by Bukayo Saka, assisted by Harry Kane.
68' - Yellow card for Mateo Kovacic.
87' - Goal for England. Scored by Morgan Rogers, assisted by Jude Bellingham.
