England thrash Croatia 7-0 as Scotland win and Ireland face Israel
England beat Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League, Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0, and Ireland prepare to face Israel at a neutral venue in Serbia.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
England 7-0 Croatia
England produced one of their most impressive performances under head coach Thomas Tuchel by thrashing Croatia 7-0 in the UEFA Nations League in Rijeka. The match was played behind closed doors as punishment for previous crowd trouble involving Croatian fans, but around 6,000 local schoolchildren were allowed in. England led 4-0 at half-time and did not let up. Harry Kane opened the scoring after seven minutes. Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also scored, with Morgan Rogers named among the scorers. Croatia's Mateo Kovacic missed a good chance. It was Croatia's heaviest ever defeat and one of England's biggest wins in years.
Scotland 2-0 North Macedonia
Scotland also won in the Nations League, beating North Macedonia 2-0 in Skopje. Kieron Bowie scored in the first half and John McGinn added a penalty. It was the first win under new coach Sebastian Poconioli. Scotland should have scored more, and Scott McKenna was sent off late.
Ireland prepare for Israel in Serbia
The Republic of Ireland are preparing to face Israel in the Nations League today. The match is officially an Irish home game but is being played at a neutral venue in northern Serbia, behind closed doors. It is the second meeting between the sides in eight days. After a week of controversy, Ireland trained on schedule. Their coach said the team's bond was strong, and the squad held a prayer and huddle before training. The fixture remains under a spotlight on and off the pitch.
Nations League status
The Nations League is increasingly treated as a serious competition rather than a friendly. It is seen as building into a third international competition in Europe.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widely reported · 4 or more of 5 channels | |||||
| England faced Croatia in Rijeka in the UEFA Nations League. | |||||
| Reported by a few · 2–3 channels | |||||
| Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 for their first win of the international window, with John McGinn scoring a penalty. | Not reported by Channel 4 | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| Only on one channel | |||||
| The Nations League is gaining importance and developing into a third international competition in Europe, rather than being just a friendly. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| The Republic of Ireland are preparing to play Israel in a Nations League match at a neutral venue in northern Serbia behind closed doors, their second meeting in eight days. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Channel 4 gave the England game a short score update, focusing on the first-half goal rush and the reduced crowd in Rijeka. It did not cover Ireland or Scotland. The football item sat in a bulletin that also carried rugby league and music news.
- “The Three Lions ran riot in the first half with four goals from Kane, Gordon, Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka.”
- “The latest score in the second half is Croatian nil, England seven.”
ITV1's evening bulletin led its football item on England's seven-goal win and the unusual behind-closed-doors crowd of local schoolchildren. It framed the match as old rivals meeting in a new, child-filled environment. It did not mention Ireland or Scotland.
- “it's been a great evening for England's footballers scoring seven goals in Croatia but the game was played behind closed doors much to the delight of hundreds of local school children who were allowed inside to watch.”
- “Old foes but a new environment in Rijeka no adult home fans just a crowd of kids punishment for Croatian crowd.”
BBC ONE West gave a fuller round-up, covering England's 7-0 win and Scotland's 2-0 victory. It highlighted Thomas Tuchel's England, the schoolchildren crowd and the unusual atmosphere. It also found time for Sir Kevin Sinfield's charity ultra-marathon.
- “England delivered one of their most impressive Performances under head coach Thomas Tuchel as they thrashed Croatia 7-0”
- “So 6,000 were here to see Harry Kane go through for England”
- “Croatia nil England 7”
ITV1's later news bulletin gave a longer England report with a school-themed script and also covered Scotland's win. It described Croatia's defeat as their heaviest and England's performance as one of their best for years. It did not cover Ireland.
- “It was an even better night for England They had a magnificent game scoring seven goals in Croatia It was all played behind closed doors, much to the delight of thousands of local school children who were allowed inside to watch”
- “Scotland have had their first victory under new coach Sebastian Poganoli They beat North Macedonia 2-0 in Skopje thanks to a first half goal from Kieran Bowie followed by a penalty from John McGinn”
- “Croatia's heaviest ever defeat and one of England's most impressive for years”
This BBC News bulletin led on England's 7-0 win and Scotland's 2-0 victory. It named Morgan Rogers among the scorers and noted Scott McKenna's late red card. It did not cover Ireland in this segment.
- “England delivered arguably their most impressive performance under head coach Thomas Tuchel as they produced a devastating attacking display to thrash Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.”
- “They beat the Croatians 7-0 with goals coming from Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, and Morgan Rogers.”
- “The only negative was a late red card for Scott McKenna.”
Sky News did not report the match details. It used the England result as a hook for a short discussion correcting the idea that the Nations League is a friendly. Its focus was the competition's growing status.
- “No, it's not friendly. I'm calling them friendlies still. You're incorrect. It's the Nations League.”
- “the Nations League actually is building up to be a third international competition in Europe.”
- “It's becoming more and more important.”
This later BBC News bulletin repeated the England and Scotland round-up and then added the Republic of Ireland's fixture against Israel. It focused on the neutral venue, the behind-closed-doors setting and the controversy around the game.
- “Let's stay with football, because the Republic of Ireland's football team is preparing to meet Israel in a Nations League match today, to be played at a remote location in northern Serbia.”
- “It's officially a home match, but it's being played at a neutral venue behind closed doors. It'll be the side's second meeting in eight days.”
- “After all the controversy of the past week, this Irish team is now attempting to be firmly focused on football.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.