England made it four wins from the last four games in the Nations League. Harry Kane marked his record-breaking 126th England cap with his record-extending 92nd England goal, none of which count.

But England could also only extend their tally of goals against Croatia this year to 13 from three matches in a game that was, in every way, nothing like the bizarre ‘behind-closed-doors but not actually’ 7-0 reverse fixture at the start of last month.

JORDAN PICKFORD

Slight surprise to see him picked for this one given Thomas Tuchel’s current fondness for an England goalkeeper job-share arrangement with James Trafford. If it is indeed Trafford again against Spain, it surely confirms a proper battle for the England No. 1 jersey of a like we haven’t seen for over eight years.

Could do nothing about the goal, and had nothing much else to do.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Tidy enough, and had a couple of solid cracks at goal. But there’s a starting spot to be won here and a nagging feeling that he didn’t really hammer down any doors. Rustiness understandable, to be fair, with only 150 minutes of club football since the last international break. Although Roy Keane didn’t think so.

LEWIS HALL

Tidy enough as the closest thing to a first-choice pick in a makeshift England back four, but we – perhaps understandably, given that fact and what was in general a slightly disjointed England display that generally favoured attacking down the right – saw less of him as an attacking outlet than we’ve become used to, with little of the usual front-foot interplay between him and former Newcastle colleague Anthony Gordon on the England left.

JARELL QUANSAH

One horrible moment will be remembered where all previous and subsequent moments of quiet competence are forgotten. Such is life for a defender, but that was also a particularly horrible moment. A startling failure of both decision-making and execution, with his header back to Pickford from the six-yard line poorly conceived and then delivered. It always required a level of delicate precision that made it a poor option in such a tight situation and match, and he’ll have been doubly relieved to so quickly win the penalty from which Harry Kane restored the lead.

His true redemption came with a crucial late challenge on Ante Bodomir as Croatia pushed to make it 2-2 late on.

DAN BURN

Did what he’s good at very well. Did what he’s not very good at less well. Won some towering headers in both boxes and had some fun in his battles with Ante Budimir, but not so much when being glided past by Nikola Vlasic. The Spain game is not the most important England game ever, sure, but it would be handy if Ezri Konsa is available for that one.

Prevented Josko Gvardiol scoring Croatia’s second equaliser of the night from a late corner.

ELLIOT ANDERSON

Neat. Tidy. Neat and tidy. One very good moment of quick-footery to get out of a tight spot, followed by a botched pass intended to set Anthony Gordon clear. It was definitely on. In general, though, seemed to find a game where he had to do the work of one very good midfielder instead of two very good midfielders far more stress-free than recent club outings. Weird, that.

DECLAN RICE

Fifty-two completed passes out of 52 attempts in his 76 minutes on the pitch. Highly commendable, but difficult to write about.

MORGAN ROGERS

Pounced to score the opener in enterprising style from a starting position wide on the right that wouldn’t be his preferred starting station. Most of England’s attacking endeavour, especially in the first half, came down that flank and Rogers was involved in all of it. Missed a great late chance for a second after smartly working himself a shooting opportunity.

ANTHONY GORDON

A quiet night for Gordon, who didn’t do much wrong but didn’t do much of anything really. Only Harry Kane had fewer touches among England’s starters.

JUDE BELLINGHAM

Gets an assist for the opening goal but had one of his quietest nights in an England shirt otherwise.

HARRY KANE

England’s record goalscorer is now top of the pile for caps as well after going past Peter Shilton’s 125. His goal tally is now 92 after, fittingly, yet another penalty, clipped straight down the middle after Ivan Smolcic tried to swap shirts with Jarell Quansah half-an-hour early. Now, we wonder, does he also hold England’s all-time pre-assist record? England’s opener after a shaky first 20 minutes was another Croatia defensive calamity but the panic was caused by that driven ball to the back-post at which Kane has grown so adept over the years.

As Sam Matterface put it unimprovably at full-time. “Certainly one of the greatest, and maybe the the greatest.”

SUBSTITUTES

RIO NGUMOHA (for Gordon, 77)

One late jinking run caught the eye as Liverpool’s Bright Young Thing continues to get his feet under the England table.

JAMES GARNER (for Rice, 77)

Had the ball in the net, but alas Jude Bellingham had been a good yard offside in the build-up.

BEN WHITE (for Alexander-Arnold, 77)

A smattering of boos greeted his arrival from the bench, which was all rather dreary. Did fine.