Morgan Rogers put the icing on the proverbial cake for England as they dismantled Croatia in their own backyard on Saturday evening.
It was the three Lions’ most brilliant performance since Thomas Tuchel took the helm in January 2025, as the visitors scored seven unanswered goals in front of just over 6,000 spectators at the HNK Rijeka Stadium – around 6,000 schoolchildren and 100 away fans in attendance, thanks to poor support from the Croatians.
Harry Kane gave England the lead after less than eight minutes, before Jude Bellingham made it two minutes later. Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka then scored for the Three Lions to give them a four-goal lead going into half-time.
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Kane made it five for England before Saka scored his second of the game in the 68th minute. After the Three Lions scored their sixth goal, Tuchel was replaced on the bench, with Chelsea striker Morgan Rodgers replacing captain Kane.
Rodgers came on and played as a false nine for his country – something he has done for brief moments under Xabi Alonso this season, usually towards the end of matches – and the Blues’ record signing has made a swift impact in Croatia.
Bellingham played a beautifully weighted pass to Rodgers, who beat Croatia’s offside trap before rounding goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and calmly slotting into the empty net on his left foot.
“Playing for my country means everything to me. I’m a proud player who wants to play for my country and do well,” Rodgers said after the win in Croatia.
“I probably haven’t scored as many goals for England as I would have liked. It was great to get that and hopefully I can go on and score more goals.”
Some 4,300 miles away, Estevao Willian shone for Brazil against India in Kolkata. The 19-year-old winger, who was a poor performer for Alonso in the opening part of the season, is playing a more prominent role for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
It took less than 28 minutes for Brazil to open the scoring against the Indians, Estevao cutting in from the right with his left foot, something we’ve seen countless times at Stamford Bridge, without giving himself some space and past the keeper, he could have done a little better with it.
Flamengo striker Pedro then scored Brazil’s second goal thanks to a wonderful cross from Estevao. Samuel Lino’s brace in the second half gave the Brazilians a comfortable win, with Estevao securing a convincing win on 67 minutes.
Alonso will be pleased to have his two forwards fit for their countries during the break ahead of their return to club football next weekend, especially with a few injury concerns for the Blues manager. Chelsea host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on October 10 and it is unclear at the time of writing whether Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro will be fit for the Blues.
According to Chelsea sources, Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad due to an unspecified muscle problem and is rehabbing in the Caribbean after a break with a fitness trainer.
Joao Pedro suffered a knee injury while “Blues” were preparing to lose to “Brentford” in the final game before the break. The Brazil international was called up to Ancelotti’s team, but the Chelsea forward was sidelined due to a problem.