Morgan Rogers scores as England beat Croatia 2-1 and reach Nations League quarter-finals

Chelsea's Morgan Rogers opened the scoring at Wembley as England beat Croatia 2-1 to secure a Nations League quarter-final place. The goal lifts Chelsea's only senior England player after the club's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

Morgan Rogers made his moment count at Wembley.

Tuchel started Rogers on one side of captain Harry Kane, with Anthony Gordon on the other. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham made up the midfield.

Kane was central to the breakthrough. He dropped deep and found Bellingham, whose cross reached Rogers. Josko Gvardiol failed to clear, and the Chelsea forward forced the ball in.

On a night when Kane won his record 126th cap, Croatia’s second-half fightback was not enough to deny England.

Palmer was not part of the 25-man squad Tuchel named on Friday 6 November for the Croatia and Spain matches. According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea say they had informed the FA that he was fit and available.

The omission followed an earlier warning. After Palmer pulled out of the previous squad, Tuchel had told him injuries were costing him too many chances to play for England.

Rogers spoke up for his clubmate after the final whistle. He rejected claims that Palmer lacks commitment to England, calling them a lie. Palmer, he said, wants to play for his country.

The timing suits Chelsea. The club lost 1-0 at Sunderland on Sunday 8 November, with Enzo Le Fée scoring a 36th-minute penalty. That was their fourth league defeat of the season. It also dropped them out of the top four.

Rogers arrived from Aston Villa in July 2026 on a contract running until 2033. His £117m move made him the most expensive British player, beating Anderson’s £116m transfer to Manchester City, according to Sky Sports.

He made an instant impression at his new club, scoring on his debut in the 3-2 opening-day win at Fulham.

Rogers stays with England for Sunday’s group finale against Spain. That match is at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on 15 November, with kick-off at 7.45pm GMT. To top the group, England must win both November matches and finish with a better goal difference than Spain.

He then returns to Chelsea, who need a win to start climbing back towards the top four. Leeds United visit on Saturday 21 November, with a 3pm GMT kick-off.