Kane and Saka doubles give England record win over Croatia as Tuchel moves on from World Cup pain

England dismantled Croatia at Stadion HNK Rijeka and inflicted the biggest defeat the Balkan side have ever suffered. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each hit two goals, Jude Bellingham matched a feat not seen from an England midfielder since 1993 and Anthony Gordon plus Morgan Rogers joined the scoring in a performance Thomas Tuchel described as the moment his team finally moved past their World Cup heartbreak.

• England handed Croatia the heaviest defeat in the history of their national team.
• Kane and Saka scored braces, while Bellingham registered four goal involvements.
• Gordon and Rogers also got on the scoresheet in a complete attacking display.
• Alex Scott impressed on his full debut and Tuchel called him the complete package.
• The match was supposed to be behind closed doors, but 6,200 local schoolchildren attended free.

A record-breaking night for Croatia in Rijeka

Never before had Croatia conceded so many goals in a single international. The home side, ranked 13th in the world, arrived looking to bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Spain and to push for the top two spots in their Nations League group. Instead they ran into an England team pressing relentlessly and counterattacking at full speed, and the contest quickly slipped away from them.

There was an unusual backdrop to the match as well. UEFA had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors after Croatia were punished for racist and discriminatory fan behaviour the previous year, but the stadium was not empty: 6,200 local schoolchildren were let in free of charge and added an unexpected atmosphere to a night that will sit in the record books for a long time.

Tuchel says England have left the World Cup scar behind

The German coach admitted the squad had been carrying the pain of their semi-final exit to Argentina. But he argued that this March international break has allowed the group to turn the page and build a clear identity. The win over Spain and the attacking clinic against Croatia gave him the evidence to say England are now competing with the mindset he demands from the touchline.

If you feel pain you have to live with the pain. We will always have a scar, feel pain, but this is the way to move forward. We have played in the same manner in all three matches.

Tuchel praised the intensity of England's pressing, the invention on the ball and the speed of the breaks. In his view, the players do not need to be convinced of this approach because it is exactly how they want to perform. Playing man for man as often as possible carries risk, he acknowledged, but the squad accepts it as part of their style.

Harry Kane closes in on Peter Shilton's caps record

Kane's two goals took his international tally to 89, and the captain is now one appearance away from matching Peter Shilton's England record. If he features against Czechia on Tuesday, in the fourth and final match of the camp, he will reach 125 caps for his country.

Kane was especially pleased with the collective mentality during a week that could easily have turned into a holiday. The warm weather, the hotel overlooking the sea and the relaxed setting all posed a risk, but the captain stressed that every player performed at the highest level. Croatia, he felt, had rested several players earlier in the week because they saw this fixture as their best chance to climb into the top two.

Alex Scott shines on his first England start

The Bournemouth midfielder, 23, seized his first senior start with a display that caught the eye in the middle of the pitch. Going up against Luka Modric, one of the finest midfielders of his generation, did not faze him. Tuchel was full of praise for Scott's composure on the ball, his decision-making and the confidence he brings to the side.

First start and what a start. He is so smooth on the ball, his decision-making. He is so active. The work rate off the ball makes him the complete package.

Scott also savoured the chance to face Modric, a player he grew up watching. Sharing a pitch with one of his childhood idols and leaving with a victory made the night feel surreal for the young midfielder.

England strengthen their grip on a Nations League finals place

The result cements England's hold on second place in their group and leaves Tuchel's team on the brink of qualification for next year's Nations League finals. The authority they showed away from home against a respected opponent underlines the progress the manager has been looking for since taking charge.