Thomas Tuchel said England have moved on from their World Cup pain after seeing his side deliver a statement performance in Rijeka and hand Croatia their biggest ever defeat.
Tuchel was delighted after his front four combined to devastating effect at Stadion HNK Rijeka, where 6,200 local schoolchildren were allowed in free of charge even though the game was supposed to take place behind closed doors after Croatia were punished by Uefa for racist and discriminatory fan behaviour last year.
England, who have a firm grip on second place in their Nations League group and are confident of reaching next year’s finals, saw Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each score twice and Jude Bellingham become the first midfielder to register four goal involvements in a game since David Platt against San Marino in 1993.
Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers were also on the scoresheet and Tuchel believes his players have used this extended international break to consign their limp World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina to the past.
“If you feel pain you have to lay with the pain,” the manager said. “The same with disappointment. It was not easy at the beginning of the camp. We had an excellent performance against Spain. The focus in the meetings, 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. We’ll always have a scar, feel pain, but this is the way to move forward. We’ve played in the same manner all three matches.”
Tuchel called it a complete performance. England pressed hard, offered invention in possession and were rapid on the counterattack. Kane, who will equal Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps when England host Czechia in their and fourth final game of the camp on Tuesday, felt it had the power and physicality of a Premier League performance.
“They just want to play like this, it’s their belief and wish, their conviction,” Tuchel said. “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.”
There was also an impressive performance from Alex Scott, who made his full debut in midfield. “First start and what a start,” Tuchel said of the 23-year-old. “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 was buzzing about facing Luka Modric, who struggled for Croatia. “It’s pretty surreal,” the Bournemouth midfielder said. “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.”
Kane, who is up to 89 international goals, was delighted with England’s attitude. Croatia, 13th in the world, were looking to bounce back after losing 4-1 to Spain on Tuesday.
“Every man was at the highest level,” the captain said. “They rested a lot of players on Tuesday. I feel they saw this as their best opportunity to get into those top two spots. During the week it was beautiful weather, an amazing hotel, looking out to the ocean. We could have fallen into that holiday mode.”
