A STATEMENT HEARD AROUND EUROPE! Record-breaking England win over Croatia is a message to rivals as Euro 2028 mission set

This was the performance to finally stop the World Cup hangover. Nearly three months after THAT defeat to Argentina, England have finally moved on.

England were absolutely sensational in Rijeka with a stunning seven-goal demolition of Croatia to bring back the feel good factor again. Let’s be honest, a lot of England fans wanted Thomas Tuchel to be sacked after the World Cup semi final capitulation.

It will still live long in the memory because England had victory in their grasp - and they blew it. And more specifically, the manager blew it.

Tuchel gaslit the players and, for a while, it felt as if the manager would struggle to get them back onside as well. It was always going to take time to forgive and, while we might never forget, this was a performance to start a new chapter.

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The scoreline should make the rest of Europe sit up and take notice. It is a clear sign that England are back on track under Tuchel. This was the sort of performance that makes you believe they can win the Euros.

Yes, yes, yes, we’ve heard it all before. But playing like this, they are a match for anyone. England were incredible. Yes, Croatia were absolutely awful but England were fast, slick and ruthless. They kept a clean sheet, had a strong midfield duo of Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott while the forward line was magnificent.

Jude Bellingham was the best player on the pitch by some distance as he scored and provided three assists. Bellingham is in the best form of his life. He was fresh, strong and brilliant at the World Cup and has, without doubt, the capacity to be England’s best-ever player.

To get that sort of accolade, England will have to win a trophy but with Bellingham in their starting XI, they have got every chance of doing that. Harry Kane looks hungry and determined as he is scoring goals for fun. Two more pushed him to 89 and just 11 away from reaching 100. That landmark will keep him focused.

Was this the best performance in Thomas Tuchel's England reign? Have your say in the comments section.

Tuchel joked after the Czech Republic game that it would take him just 13 games to get the 13 he needed. But he looks set to do it in double quick time. At 33, he is showing age is just a number. Anthony Gordon now looks a guaranteed starter for England and has taken his game to a new level since the World Cup and his move to Barcelona.

Gordon has real pace, looks way more dangerous and incisive and has added goals to his game. Three in as many appearances. Bukayo Saka looked so much sharper against Croatia and hopefully that performance will have done him the power of good.

The talent is there but he needs some confidence to really help his consistency for club and country. On his day, Saka is the best right winger for club and country. There is also a real depth because the likes of Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze come on and make a difference.

Beyond Spain - and they are still the team to beat - there are not many countries with so much depth. Maybe France. But they have weaknesses in certain areas. But this was the performance - pass and move, movement and cohesion - to bring back the vibes which Tuchel created before and during the World Cup.

Croatia went into the England game in 13th place in the FIFA rankings. They are live rankings so it moves quickly, but they are not your usual whipping boys. England destroyed them.

During the World Cup, England fans had a spring in their step and a belief. That disappeared after the Argentina game and it felt like it would be a long way back for Tuchel.

The radio phone-ins were baying for blood and the shock jocks fuelled the calls for Tuchel to go. Once you lose the fans, you could argue there is no way back.

But this was back to the England that Tuchel promised. Fast, entertaining and thrilling. The shame of it was there was only 100 England fans in Rijeka.

What a farce from UEFA that England fans get punished for Croatia’s racism. What a joke. More should have been allowed in to watch what was definitely a big moment for England and a turning point for Tuchel.