England’s Euros rivals will be running scared after seven-goal Croatia demolition, claims new star Alex Scott – as Rico Lewis earns first call-up in two years

New England midfield star Alex Scott believes the rest of Europe will have been scared by Saturday’s 7-0 demolition of Croatia in Rikeja.

The Bournemouth player made his first England start alongside his friend Elliot Anderson as Thomas Tuchel’s team tore the Croats apart in the Nations League.

Croatian legend Luka Modric has admitted he was left ‘ashamed’ by the outcome and Scott believes this may just be the start for Tuchel’s team.

‘It’s important to put these markers down and beat teams like that to scare opposition in the future,’ said Scott.

‘It was my first start and they don’t come much better than that. Seven goals and we were deadly from the off.

‘The front four were unbelievable and it makes it easy playing behind that. Anthony Gordon is deadly making runs in behind, with his pace and ability, and Jude Bellingham was everywhere on the pitch.

The England new boy described Jude Bellingham as ‘the best midfielder in the world’ 

‘Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it.

‘He’s even better in person, seeing it up close and being on the same pitch as him. He’s the best midfielder in the world, one of the best players in the world for sure and a great human being.

‘On the pitch his ability is scary and that’s the benchmark we need to live up to. I’m the same age as him but for me he’s a role model figure for young English players.’

One youngster who may get a chance to prove himself against the Czech Republic on Tuesday is Rico Lewis, who has been added to the senior England squad for the final game of the international break. The Manchester City star last played for the Three Lions first team in 2024.  

Saturday’s defeat was the heaviest in Croatian history. Modric started the game even though he celebrated his 41st birthday last month.

Afterwards the former Spurs and Real Madrid star said: ‘It is difficult to find an explanation for a performance like that, with no duels, fouls, aggression or cohesion.

‘I have been here for 20 years, but it is the first time I have felt ashamed after a match.

‘You can lose, someone can be stronger, at the moment they are stronger, but losing in this way and throwing away the reputation we have built up over all these years is unacceptable.

‘I really do feel ashamed.’

Luka Modric said he was ‘ashamed’ after the match after the heaviest loss in Croatian history

Rico Lewis has been added to the England squad for the final match of the international break against Czechia on Tuesday

Meanwhile England boss Tuchel will lead his team into the final of four Nations League games at home to Czech Republic on Tuesday acknowledging that several of his squad have made steps forward in the absence of senior names such as Decal Rice and Cole Palmer.

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.’