Morgan Rogers put the icing on the proverbial cake for England on Saturday evening as they demolished Croatia in their own back yard.
In what was arguably the Three Lions‘ most polished performance since Thomas Tuchel took the reins in January 2025, the visitors scored seven without reply at the Stadion HNK Rijeka in front of just over 6000 spectators – with around 6000 schoolchildren and 100 visiting fans in attendance due to a sanction against Croatia supporters for previous bad behaviour.
Harry Kane put the English ahead with less than eight minutes on the clock before Jude Bellingham doubled the lead a few moments later. Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka then scored for the Three Lions to secure a four-goal advantage going into the half-time break.
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Kane then made it five for England before Saka also grabbed his second of the game 68 minutes in. After the Three Lions scored their sixth, Tuchel turned to the bench, with one of the subs being Chelsea attacker Morgan Rogers coming on in place of captain Kane.
Rogers came on and essentially played as the 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 made a swift impact in Croatia.
Bellingham played a beautifully weighted pass over the top to Rogers, who beat Croatia’s offside trap before rounding goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and calmly finishing into an empty net on his left foot.
Morgan Rogers scored England’s seventh against Croatia(Image: Carl Recine)
“Playing for my country means everything to me. I’m a proud player who wants to play for their country and do well,” said Rogers after the win in Croatia.
“I probably haven’t scored as many goals for England as I would have liked. To get that one was really nice and hopefully I can continue and get many more.”
Around 4300 miles away, Estevao Willian was shining for Brazil against India in Kolkata. The 19-year-old winger, who has been such a bitpart player for Alonso in the opening chapter of the season, is playing a more prominent role for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
It took Brazil less than 28 minutes to open the scoring against the Indians, with Estevao cutting in on his left foot from the right wing, something we’ve seen countless times at Stamford Bridge, before making a bit of space for himself and striking past the goalkeeper, who might have done a bit better with it.
Estevao Willian celebrates scoring for Brazil against India(Image: Samir Jana/Hindustan Times)
Flamengo forward Pedro then netted Brazil’s second of the game, courtesy of a fine pass from Estevao. In the second-half, a brace from Samuel Lino secured a comfortable victory for the Brazilians, with Estevao getting a solid 67 minutes under his belt.
Alonso will be pleased two of his forwards are in form for their countries during the break ahead of the return to club football next weekend, particularly with a couple of injury concerns for the Blues manager. Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on October 10 and it is unclear at the time of writing whether Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro will be fit to feature for the Blues.
Palmer pulled out of the England squad due to an unspecified muscle issue and has been doing rehabilitation work in the Caribbean over the break with a fitness coach, according to Chelsea sources.
Joao Pedro, meanwhile, sustained a knee injury while the Blues were preparing for the defeat to Brentford in the final game before the break. The Brazil international was called up to Ancelotti’s squad but the Chelsea forward pulled out of action due to the problem.
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