England midfield newcomer Alex Scott believes the rest of Europe will have taken notice after Thomas Tuchel’s side swept Croatia aside 7-0 in Rijeka on Saturday.
The Bournemouth midfielder made his first start for England alongside close friend Elliot Anderson, as the visitors produced a relentless Nations League display and dismantled their Croatian opponents.
Croatia captain and midfield icon Luka Modric later described the result as a source of deep embarrassment. Scott, meanwhile, feels the emphatic victory could signal the beginning of an exciting period for Tuchel’s England.
“It’s important to make statements like this and defeat teams of that level so future opponents know what they are facing,” Scott said.
“It was my first start, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. Seven goals, and we were dangerous from the opening whistle.
“The front four were outstanding, which makes life much easier for the players behind them. Anthony Gordon’s pace and movement in behind are so dangerous, while Jude Bellingham seemed to cover every blade of grass.”
Alex Scott believes England’s attacking threat will have alarmed their European rivals after the rout of Croatia
The England debutant hailed Jude Bellingham as “the best midfielder in the world”
“Honestly, I’ve never witnessed anything quite like it.
“He is even more impressive when you see him close up and share the pitch with him. He is the best midfielder in the world, or certainly one of the best players anywhere, and he is also a brilliant person.
“His quality on the pitch is intimidating, and that is the standard we have to reach. We’re the same age, but I see him as a role model for young English players.”
Rico Lewis could be handed an opportunity to impress in Tuesday’s meeting with the Czech Republic after being called into the senior England squad for the final match of the international break. The Manchester City defender last appeared for the Three Lions’ first team in 2024.
Croatia’s defeat was the heaviest in the country’s history. Modric started despite turning 41 last month, but the experienced midfielder was unable to prevent his side from suffering a humiliating collapse.
After the final whistle, the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star struggled to explain Croatia’s performance.
“It is difficult to understand a display like that, when there were no duels, no aggression, no cohesion and barely any resistance,” Modric said.
“I have been part of this team for 20 years, but this is the first time I have walked away from a match feeling ashamed.
“You can lose to a better team, particularly when they are stronger on the day. But to lose in this manner and damage the reputation we have built over so many years is unacceptable.
“I genuinely feel ashamed.”
Luka Modric admitted he felt “ashamed” after Croatia suffered the biggest defeat in their history
Rico Lewis has joined the England squad ahead of Tuesday’s final international against Czechia
England manager Tuchel will take his team into the fourth and final Nations League fixture at home to Czechia on Tuesday. The German coach has acknowledged that several players have made significant progress while established figures, including Declan Rice and Cole Palmer, have been absent.
Asked about whether Scott, 23, could challenge Rice for a central midfield berth in the long term, Tuchel said: ‘Of course, and he does.
‘We need performances like this.
‘This is just the nature of it, and we will not survive on two central midfielders. The more the better. And it’s always about the guys who are in camp.
‘Declan knows about his importance, and he’s one of the very best midfielders in Europe. Nothing will change that.
‘But it’s exactly what we need. We need more, more, more, more variety. We need more, more, more options.
‘And it’s always then, in the end, about the guys who are in camp. And Alex has been at the highest level.’
