'Amazing night' — Saka bags brace as England hit Croatia for seven

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Bukayo Saka scored twice as England swept Croatia aside 7-0 in their UEFA Nations League clash, capping a dominant night for the Arsenal winger on international duty.

Harry Kane also claimed a brace, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers completing the rout as England overwhelmed the Croatians from the first whistle.

Saka's opener arrived just before half-time, the winger finishing from close range after Bellingham drove forward and delivered into the box. He struck again after the interval, pouncing on a loose Croatian pass before combining with Kane and finishing for England's sixth goal of the evening.

Saka reflects on the rout

Speaking to ITV after the match, Saka called it "an amazing night for us" and said England "punished them", praising the energy and clinical finishing that defined the performance.

Scoring twice for his country, he added, was "always a nice feeling". The 25-year-old said the display showed the hunger, passion and quality England want to carry into every fixture.

Saka was one of five Arsenal players named in England's latest squad, underlining the north London side's continued representation at the heart of Gareth Southgate's successors' plans. He had also contributed to England's progress at the World Cup, including providing the corner for Bellingham's goal against Panama as the Three Lions topped their group.

Praise for Bellingham and Gordon

Saka reserved particular praise for the man who set up his first goal. He said Bellingham was "amazing tonight" and deserved recognition as England's player of the year, adding that he was happy to play alongside the midfielder.

The Arsenal man also highlighted Gordon's form in an England shirt, describing the Newcastle winger as another player producing consistently at international level.

Saka's partnership with Bellingham has become an increasingly productive feature of England's attacking play, with the midfielder's forward runs repeatedly creating space for the winger to attack the back post — a pattern that produced the first goal against Croatia.

For Arsenal supporters, the headline from the night is simple: their most important attacking player is scoring freely and looking sharp midway through an international window. The flip side of five Gunners being involved in the squad is the workload, particularly for a player who has carried a heavy minutes burden across recent seasons.

England still have three group matches to play in the Nations League campaign, with one more fixture to come before this international break closes. The 7-0 scoreline hands them significant momentum, and goal difference of that magnitude could prove decisive should the group go to the wire.

Attention at the Emirates will now turn to how Arsenal's internationals come through the remainder of the window before the club schedule resumes.

Quotes via JustArsenal.