{
  "id": 11747063,
  "title": "England in seventh heaven as Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka double against hapless Croatia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/england-in-seventh-heaven-as-harry-kane-bukayo-saka-double-against",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T18:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/2026-10-03-england-in-seventh-heaven-as-harry-kane-bukayo-saka-double-against-hapless-croatia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "England secured a commanding 7-0 victory over hapless Croatia in a Nations League match on Saturday, with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scoring twice. Manager Thomas Tuchel's team dominated the match, which took place in Rijeka with a limited attendance of around 6,000 local school children and 100 England supporters due to crowd trouble involving Croatia fans in 2025. Kane's double extended his record goal tally for England to 89. Arsenal winger Saka also registered a brace, while Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham added to his impressive form with a goal and three assists. Anthony Gordon completed the rout with a fourth goal, making it four in his last four England matches. Croatia, now 0-0 in their last two games, faced a much more one-sided encounter than their 4-2 defeat to England in their opening World Cup group game. The subdued atmosphere at the match, held behind closed doors, contrasted sharply with the vibrant performance on the pitch, as England showcased their formidable strength and pace over the aging Croatian side.",
  "summary": "Harry Kane extended his international tally to 89 goals and Bukayo Saka scored twice as Thomas Tuchel’s ruthless England side recorded a statement 7-0 Nations League victory behind closed doors.",
  "key_points": [
    "England defeats Croatia 7-0 in Nations League match",
    "Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each score twice",
    "Kane extends record goal tally to 89 goals for England"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Doubles from Kane and Saka power England to 7-0 rout of Croatia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/doubles-from-kane-and-saka-power-england-to-7-0-rout-of-croatia",
        "published": "2026-10-03T18:06:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "England hand Croatia heaviest-ever defeat in 7-0 thrashing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/england-hand-croatia-heaviest-ever-defeat-in-7-0-thrashing",
        "published": "2026-10-03T18:56:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "England run riot against Croatia in Nations League rout",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/england-run-riot-against-croatia-in-nations-league-rout",
        "published": "2026-10-03T21:14:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}