Tuchel: England have moved on after dominant Nations League win in Rijeka
Thomas Tuchel said England had put their World Cup pain behind them after his side produced a dominant Nations League victory over Croatia at Stadion HNK Rijeka on 3 October 2026. The manager called the display a statement performance and said it provided a way to move on from their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Tuchel praised the way his front four combined and noted the unusual match circumstances at Rijeka, where 6,200 local schoolchildren were allowed in free of charge despite the fixture being due to take place behind closed doors after Croatia were punished by Uefa for racist and discriminatory fan behaviour last year. England have a firm grip on second place in their Nations League group and are confident of reaching next year’s finals, Tuchel said, adding that the extended international break helped the squad move past the World Cup disappointment.
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice, while Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also found the net. Jude Bellingham became the first midfielder to register four goal involvements in a game since David Platt against San Marino in 1993. Kane is up to 89 international goals and praised the team’s attitude after the win, saying: “Every man was at the highest level.”
Tuchel called it a complete performance and highlighted the team’s press, inventive possession and rapid counterattacking as key features of the display. “If you feel pain you have to lay with the pain,” the manager said. “We’ll always have a scar, feel pain, but this is the way to move forward.”
On the squad’s approach Tuchel said: “They just want to play like this, it’s their belief and wish, their conviction. We don’t have to convince them. Harry plays a very intense game at Bayern. We still think we have a certain edge if we play on the front foot. If we push as often as possible in man for man it’s what the team likes. We have to manage these risks.”
Alex Scott made his full debut in midfield and drew particular praise from Tuchel: “First start and what a start,” he said. “He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making. He plays with so much confidence. He is so active. The work rate off the ball makes him the complete package. We had a lot of variety in the centre of the pitch.” Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder, reflected on facing Luka Modric: “It’s pretty surreal. Probably one of my favourite players growing up because I had seen him as a boy. One of the best players in the world on his day. To be on the pitch with him and competing is a great honour and thankfully we got the win today.”
Croatia, 13th in the world, had been looking to bounce back after a 4-1 defeat by Spain on Tuesday and suffered what Tuchel described as a dominant reversal in Rijeka. The result represented England’s most commanding display of the camp and was underlined by the combination of their attacking quartet.
Kane will equal Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps when England host Czechia in their fourth and final game of the camp on Tuesday, a fixture that follows this victory and comes with England holding a strong position in their Nations League group.