Thomas Tuchel was back to being serenaded by the band of travelling support once Anthony Gordon had put the Nations League tie to bed with England’s third before half time.
Argentina might not be forgotten but the 100 fortunate enough to make this trip to western Croatia were imploring their manager to give them a wave.
He didn’t, they playfully jeered and England continued pouring on the pain for an embarrassed Slaven Bilic.
The most complete performance of Tuchel’s reign answered some post-World Cup questions and provided a blueprint moving forward as they attempt to evolve, writes Daily Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN from Rujevica Stadium.
A perfect cocktail
Tuchel has talked over the past few days of using that second half against Croatia in Dallas as a ‘memory’ to build on. When England, in his words, were ‘free’ and ‘took the risks that were worth taking’ during the group stage victory.
That is not necessarily just releasing the shackles without thought but picking their moments and there was enough of that for England to truly mix things up. Goals deriving from counter attack positions and goals from more patient build-up, Jude Bellingham’s a product of a 27-pass move.
That particular passage of play suddenly quickened and devastated an ageing Croatia, just as Harry Kane’s did minutes after the break, coming from a slow approach involving Alex Scott and then Elliot Anderson breaking lines.
It was a blend of English qualities: players capable of mastering the ball but players who happily lean into their physicality as well.
Tuchel talked over the past few days of using that second half against Croatia in Dallas during the World Cup as a ‘memory’ to build on
Jude Bellingham’s goal against Croatia, England’s second, was a product of a 27-pass move
Dovetailing
Clearly Tuchel wants more genuine competition for places and aside from the goalkeeping situation has even referenced Declan Rice as somebody who might be mindful of those coming up behind him in midfield.
One is Bournemouth’s Scott, paired with Anderson in behind Bellingham. The 23-year-old’s performances in training across camp have caught the eye and his cameo in Prague did too.
‘His first start and what a start,’ Tuchel said here at full time. ‘He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making. He plays with so much confidence. He is so active. The work rate off the ball makes him the complete package. We had a lot of variety in the centre of the pitch.’
The way in which Anderson and Scott were so at ease with each other – be it mopping up or instinctively knowing who goes and who stays – was built in the Under 21s last year, when lifting the European Championship trophy.
They are close, immediately gelling off the pitch and part of a coffee club during that tournament in Slovenia. Incidentally, one of the first occasions Scott met Tuchel was the night England won that competition, the England boss accidentally tapping his broken jaw during celebrations in the dressing room.
If that might have been painful, Scott’s presence in Rijeka saw Anderson look as comfortable as he ever has in an England shirt, albeit against wounded opposition.
Minds elsewhere?
Anderson appeared serene for the vast majority of it, running midfield, although there was one mistake that had seemingly allowed Manchester City team-mate Mateo Kovacic to nick one back for the hosts.
Anderson dallied in his own box, his pocket picked, but Kovacic inexplicably smashed wide when presented with effectively an open goal from eight yards. The 6,000 schoolkids collectively gasped.
These sort of incidents have been commonplace for City stars over the international break, which is understandable given the bombshell verdict of financial impropriety at the club and the uncertainty around that.
The way in which Anderson and Scott were so at ease with each other – be it mopping up or instinctively knowing who goes and who stays – was built in the Under 21s last yea
Crafty Kane
Croatia broke in a brief moment of excitement for the home crowd, Martin Baturina ahead of anybody in an England shirt. The vuvuzelas began to screech. And then, from nowhere, the last man came to the rescue, expertly reading the game and cutting out the counter. Kane, that was.
Kane was further back than anybody and generally this could have been the deepest he has ever operated for England.
Time and again he dropped off the front, basically operating as a No8, to engineer chances for others, most notably punching through the lines when finding Jarell Quansah in the build up to Gordon’s header.
He might be bearing down on the likes of Robert Lewandowski in the list of all-time international goalscorers but Kane continues to offer so much more for Tuchel.
