Spain Beat Czechs 3-1 as England Rout Croatia 7-0 in Nations League
The short version
- Spain beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in Oviedo, extending their unbeaten run to 41 games and moving to nine points from three in League A Group 3.
- England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka; Harry Kane scored twice to reach 89 international goals, Bukayo Saka also netted a brace, and Jude Bellingham added a goal and three assists.
- England sit second in the group on six points after losing to Spain last weekend.
- Switzerland top League B Group 1 with nine points, while Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 for a first win under Sebastien Pocognoli.
- Next up on Tuesday, Oct. 6: Spain at Croatia (Stadion Poljud) and Czechia at England (Wembley Stadium), both at 2:45 PM EDT.
World champions Spain stayed perfect with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic, while braces from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka powered England past Croatia 7-0.
World champions Spain ran their unbeaten streak to 41 games with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Oviedo on Saturday, while England produced the day's heaviest scoreline by beating Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka. Both matches were in Group 3 of League A of the UEFA Nations League.
Lamine Yamal put Spain in front with a fine finish before Rodri and Mikel Merino added the rest. Merino was introduced midway through the second half and, just as at the World Cup, the substitute delivered a decisive goal, this one arriving after Jiri Slama had replied for the Czechs and the game appeared to be swinging their way. "They are well drilled, I thought it would be one of the hardest games and that's how it was," Rodri told TVE.
In Rijeka, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice for England against a Croatia side coached by Slaven Bilic. Kane's double took his record goal tally for his country to 89. Jude Bellingham, restored to the starting lineup after Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, also scored and provided three assists for Thomas Tuchel's team.
"That was a 90-minute performance at the highest level from everyone. From the first until the last minute, everyone who started and everyone came from the bench," Tuchel said. "We kept the pace up and played through the gaps," the German added. "I love the attitude. We always played humble and always got the basics right and that's why it was a complete performance."
The results left Spain first in Group 3 of League A with the maximum nine points. England, semifinalists at the recent World Cup, are second on six points, their lone defeat coming against the new world champions last weekend.
Scotland earned a first victory under new Belgian coach Sebastien Pocognoli, winning 2-0 away to North Macedonia. Kieron Bowie scored in the first half and John McGinn added a second on a night when Andy Robertson collected his 100th international cap.
Switzerland also hold a perfect nine points after beating Slovenia 2-1 through a 10th-minute own goal from Erik Janza and a first-half goal from Dan Ndoye, the Nottingham Forest winger. The Swiss lead Group 1 of League B, with Slovenia and Scotland level on four points.
In Group 1 of League C, Finland defeated Albania 2-1 and Belarus beat San Marino 4-0. Estonia won 1-0 against Luxembourg, and Iceland overcame Bulgaria 3-0 in the night's remaining fixtures.
The group continues Tuesday, Oct. 6, when Spain visit Croatia at Stadion Poljud and Czechia travel to England at Wembley Stadium, with both matches set for 2:45 PM EDT.
Games to watch
