England head coach Thomas Tuchel believes his team has healed from the pain of their World Cup exit after a convincing 7-0 win over Croatia in a Nations League match. The win, which saw Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka score twice, was a significant improvement from their previous match against the Czech Republic. Tuchel's tactics had come under fire after England's World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, but he seems to have made adjustments to his approach.
The German coach had faced criticism for his defensive tactics in the World Cup semi-final, which England ultimately lost to Argentina. However, Tuchel has made changes to his approach, and the team's performance against Croatia was a testament to that. The match was played at the Stadion HNK Rijeka stadium in Rijeka, Croatia, on October 3, 2026.
Tuchel's side were on the verge of reaching a first World Cup final since 1966 before their semi-final collapse. The coach absorbed the criticism that followed, but seems to have used it as a learning experience. The current international break has provided Tuchel with an opportunity to work on his team's strategy and build on their previous performances.
Despite losing 3-2 to world champions Spain in their Nations League opener, England's performance was encouraging for Tuchel. He saw more reasons for optimism in Tuesday's ruthless 2-0 win over 10-man Czech Republic. The team's dominant performance against Croatia has left them poised to secure a top-two finish in their Nations League group.
The 7-0 win over Croatia was a significant result, as it was Croatia's heaviest ever defeat. The team had lost only four of their previous 41 games at home, but England's relentless attacking display proved too much for them. Tuchel praised his team's performance, saying it was the way to move forward, even if they still felt pain from their World Cup exit.
Tuchel highlighted the importance of moving forward and playing with the pain of their World Cup exit. He believes that this is the nature of sport and that his team has bought into this approach. The coach also praised individual performances, including those of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham.
The win over Croatia has provided a boost to England's Nations League campaign, and Tuchel is optimistic about their chances of securing a top-two finish. He emphasized the importance of continually pushing for the next level, as teams can quickly catch up if they stand still. Tuchel's focus is now on continuing to build on this performance and moving forward as a team.
Key points
- England's 7-0 win over Croatia shows they have healed from World Cup heartache, says coach Thomas Tuchel.
- Tuchel's tactics had come under fire after England's World Cup semi-final loss, but he seems to have made adjustments.
- The win leaves England poised to secure a top-two finish in their Nations League group.
