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The Daily · Saturday, 3 October 2026

England Shatter Croatian Records While Lewandowski Defies Age Once More

England produced one of their most emphatic performances in years, beating Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka to inflict the heaviest defeat in Croatian football history. Thomas Tuchel called it a 'complete' display, and it was hard to argue — a result that reframes his tenure after earlier doubts and sends a genuine statement into the Nations League. Slaven Bilic described his side's collapse as a 'collective blackout.' For Croatia, a nation that reached a World Cup final not long ago, it was a sobering evening.

Elsewhere in the Nations League, Robert Lewandowski reminded everyone he remains a force of nature, scoring a hat-trick at 38 as Poland dismantled Bosnia-Herzegovina 6-0. It was also the final international appearance for Edin Dzeko, who deserved a kinder farewell. Northern Ireland added their own chapter to the day, with Ciaron Brown scoring his first two international goals in a 3-0 win over Ukraine that puts them clear at the top of Group B2. Scotland, meanwhile, marked Andy Robertson's 100th cap with a victory — Sebastien Pocognoli's first as head coach.

Off the pitch, the Manchester City financial case took a fresh turn, with whistleblower Rui Pinto signalling his willingness to cooperate with UK authorities if a protection arrangement can be secured — a development that could yet bring further documents into the Premier League's long-running investigation.

The record

City Whistleblower Rui Pinto Offers UK Cooperation in Exchange for Protection

Rui Pinto, whose leaks helped trigger the Premier League's investigation into Manchester City's finances, is willing to assist UK authorities in exchange for personal protection. The whistleblower faces the loss of his current safeguarding arrangements in Portugal, and more documents relating to City's affairs may be made available if a security deal is reached. Further cooperation from Pinto could bring additional documents into the Premier League's ongoing investigation into Manchester City's financial affairs.