Thomas Tuchel’s England rout Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka as Euro 2028 becomes the clear target
Thomas Tuchel’s England beat Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka on Saturday in the Nations League, a result that the writer frames as progress toward Euro 2028.
Tuchel’s task, the article argues, is not only to select the best side and manage matches but to shape an identity for England; coming third in the World Cup is described as “really not a disaster” and Tuchel had never previously taken a team to an international tournament. The piece says the next 20 months are the critical period in which Tuchel can determine how far this group can go.
The 7-0 scoreline is called a “steamrollering” of Croatia and the match atmosphere in Rijeka is depicted as almost youth-club like, with shrill junior ultras and a loud speaker system; the article notes around 6,000 schoolchildren in attendance. Luka Modric received enthusiastic noise on his touches but was described as being overwhelmed by England’s midfield.
On the field, England are credited with balance across physical, technical and tactical areas, resembling a World Cup semi-finalist that has used that experience to improve; the writer compares this iteration to England’s 2019–20 side under Gareth Southgate. Making Jude Bellingham the team’s focal point is presented as a defining strategic choice, with the claim that assembling the side around him draws others to perform.
Selection choices that drew criticism are addressed: the article references debates over not selecting Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and a back-up striker who is now playing in Saudi Arabia, while saying there appears to have been coherent reasoning behind those omissions. The piece stresses that differences of opinion on those calls remain legitimate but contends the selections now look more logical in context.
Individual roles and balance are highlighted: Lewis Hall is described as a genuine left-back with a left foot, Jarell Quansah as offering Kyle Walker–style recovery athleticism, and Alex Scott as “a genuinely smart, head-up, surging midfield presence.” The writer states Tuchel cannot go into a tournament with only two first-choice midfielders and adds that Tuchel’s side now treats Jude Bellingham as the back-up centre-forward in tactical terms.
The article recalls a recent narrow defeat to the world champions—an Argentina match in Atlanta where England went 1-0 down after a minute and missed a late penalty—and posits that the Rijeka side would have fared better in that game. It also notes England still need competition on the right wing, referencing Bukayo Saka, Michael Olise and Max Dowman as parts of that discussion.
With the next European Championship scheduled to be in England, the writer concludes the coming 20 months are the engine room for Tuchel to finalise his ideas and preparations ahead of Euro 2028, and that the Rijeka performance represents forward momentum rather than a final verdict on the manager’s project.
