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Live sport on SN this weekendStrikers shine as England, Spain cruise to easy wins
Jerome Pugmire •  October 4th, 2026 10:00 am
Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall and Harry Kane during England's commanding win | Photo: AP
Ballon d'Or rivals Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane starred as Spain and England won their matches in the UEFA Nations League.
The superstar strikers are both in contention to win the prestigious award on October 26.
Kane scored twice as England crushed Croatia 7-0 away on Saturday (Sunday NZT), and Yamal scored another brilliant curling shot from outside the penalty area as Spain won 3-1 at home to the Czech Republic for a 40th game unbeaten.
Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant goal in Spain's easy win over the Czech Republic | Photo: EPA
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and substitute Mikel Merino also scored as Spain recorded a third straight win to stay three points ahead of England in Group A.
With his brace of goals, Kane extended his record to 89 international goals - 36 more than Wayne Rooney in second place on England's list of scorers.
Right winger Bukayo Saka also netted twice, while left winger Anthony Gordon set up Jude Bellingham's goal and grabbed one himself. Substitute Morgan Rogers completed the rout in Rijeka.
"We were so fluid right from the start. It just never stopped," England coach Thomas Tuchel said.
"We just kept the pace up and played through the gaps. We were very, very clinical."
England players applaud the fans after their thumping win over Croatia in Rijeka | Photo: EPA
Kane put England ahead in the eighth minute, controlling a pass from Bellingham with the outside of his right foot and then curling the ball into the top left corner.
Bellingham poked in Gordon's cross midway through the first half. Gordon stooped to head in Jarell Quansah's right-wing cross, and Saka side-footed in England's fourth approaching halftime.
After the break, Croatia's defence was sliced open again on a quick break and Elliot Anderson curled in a cross from the right and Kane slid in at the back post for a poacher's finish.
"We're at our best when we're free, when we're physically just overpowering," Kane said.
"They couldn't live with our pace, our movement, our runs."
More bad defending saw Croatia unable to clear the ball and it ended up at the feet of Kane, who gifted Saka his second in the 68th minute. Rogers controlled Bellingham's pass with his heel and slotted in from an angle.
England's Jude Bellingham was all smiles after his goal against Croatia | Photo: EPA
The result eclipsed England's previous highest score against Croatia, 5-1 in World Cup qualifying in 2009 at Wembley.
It was another tough match for Croatia coach Slaven Bilić following Tuesday's 4-1 loss in Spain. Croatia have conceded 12 goals in three matches.
Luka Modric started the game in Rijeka, but the 41-year-old looked frustrated by his team's sloppy performance.
Switzerland won at home to Slovenia 2-1 for a third straight win, and group rivals Scotland won at North Macedonia 2-0 for their first victory in their Group B games.
Sassuolo forward Kieron Bowie put Scotland ahead in Skopje, and Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn's second-half penalty wrapped it up.
Kieron Bowie (No. 20) opened the scoring in Scotland's win over North Macedonia | Photo: AP
Slovenia led early on through Zan Vipotnik, but Erik Janza's own goal tied it soon after for Switzerland, who then scored through midfielder Dan Ndoye before halftime.
In Group C, Finland beat Albania 2-1 thanks to two goals from Los Angeles FC midfielder Leo Walta. The visitors took an early lead, but goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was sent off in the 22nd minute.
Elsewhere, Real Sociedad forward Orri Oskarsson netted twice in Iceland's 3-0 home win against Bulgaria.
Belarus beat San Marino 4-0, and Estonia scored a 1-0 win over Luxembourg.
