England did not just beat Croatia on Monday — they dismantled them. A stunning 7-0 victory, confirmed across the Football Weekly podcast with suitably gobsmacked reactions from Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson and Robyn Cowen, sends a clear statement from Thomas Tuchel's side about where this squad is heading.

A Result That Demands Attention

Seven goals. Nil in reply. Against a Croatia side that reached the World Cup final as recently as 2018 and have historically been one of England's most awkward opponents. The noises out of the camp had been positive heading into the match, but nobody was expecting this. The market had Croatia priced as genuine competition, and England made that look faintly ridiculous inside ninety minutes.

It is the kind of scoreline that shifts perceptions. England have often been capable of looking brilliant in patches and unconvincing in others, but a 7-0 win — against competitive European opposition, not a dead rubber — is difficult to contextualise as anything other than genuinely impressive.

What the Panel Made of It

On Football Weekly, Jonathan Wilson pointed to the cohesion within the England setup as a key factor, while Robyn Cowen highlighted the clinical edge that has often eluded England in front of goal in previous campaigns. Glendenning, rarely short of a word, was characteristically enthusiastic about the scale of the achievement.

The conversation also touched on the significance of the result in the context of qualifying. A win this emphatic does more than collect three points — it builds momentum, gives fringe players confidence, and raises the ceiling of what feels possible between now and the next major tournament.

Manchester City's Appeal in the Background

Elsewhere in the episode, the panel turned their attention to Manchester City's ongoing Premier League charges case, with the club pursuing their appeal through the independent commission process. It is a story that continues to rumble alongside the football, casting a long shadow over the Etihad's recent seasons. The outcome remains some way off, but it is rarely far from the agenda when the week's biggest talking points are being discussed.

England Looking Up

The immediate focus, though, is squarely on England's form. A 7-0 win does not guarantee anything — tournament football is a different animal — but it is the sort of performance that makes supporters dare to believe. Croatia kept England at bay for much of Euro 2020 before eventually being swept aside, and this result suggests the gap between the sides has widened considerably since then.

There will be tougher tests ahead, and the panel on Football Weekly were sensible enough not to get completely carried away. But there is something brewing with this England side. Seven goals is not a fluke. It is a statement.

Frequently asked

What was the score when England played Croatia?
England beat Croatia 7-0 in a dominant international fixture, one of the most emphatic results the Three Lions have produced in recent years.
What are the Manchester City charges about?
Manchester City are facing a lengthy Premier League independent commission process over alleged financial rule breaches. The club are appealing the case, and proceedings are ongoing.
Where can I listen to the Football Weekly podcast?
Football Weekly is The Guardian's long-running football podcast, available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and via The Guardian's own website.