Croatia vs England: Nations League tie ends goalless
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Your support makes all the difference.Croatia and England drew on Friday night in a behind-closed-doors match in the Uefa Nations League, with Gareth Southgate’s side failing to fully bounce back from their opening round defeat against Spain.
Croatia, who beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-finals in the summer, lost 6-0 in their opening group game against the Spanish, and as if their task wasn’t hard enough, they played the match in front of an empty Stadion HNK Rijeka because of a two-match Uefa ban dating back to 2015, handed out because of a swastika being marked on the pitch before a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy.
England also lost to Spain in their Nations League opener, suffering a 2-1 defeat at Wembley in September, meaning this match had big ramifications for both teams in Group D, not just in hunting down Spain but also in avoiding relegation from the group, and the contest didn't really live up to its billing with a disappointing draw.
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What time does it start?
Croatia vs England kicks off at 7:45pm (BST).
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Main Event channel from 7:00pm.
Highlights will be shown at 10:45pm on ITV.
It’s a big game for…
Jadon Sancho: All the hype in the build-up to this match has been about the in-form Borussia Dortmund youngster Jadon Sancho. At 18-years-old, Sancho is the first player born in this century to have been called up to the England squad. After leaving Manchester City for the German club last summer, Sancho has broken into the first-team this season, and has recorded an impressive nine assists so far this season – the most of any English player.
Best stat…
241: In the 2018 World Cup semi-final clash in July, Croatia’s midfield trio of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic played a combined total of 241 passes, compared to just 131 for England’s central midfielders.
Remember when…
Croatia’s win over England in the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup was the biggest match both teams had played for 20 years. Kieran Trippier’s stunning free-kick gave England the lead, and they could have had the game won as Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard missed good chances in the first-half. In the second-half, Croatia upped their level, equalising through Ivan Perisic before Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time strike sent Croatia to their first ever World Cup final.
Player to watch…
Luka Modric: Croatia’s captain will start on Friday night, and will be his country’s focal point once again. The 33-year-old, who was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player last month, has been in sparkling form for club and country all year, and can dominate matches on his own. Paired up with Ivan Rakitic in central midfield, the duo will need to be contained by England better than in the latter stages of the World Cup semi-final three months ago.
Past three-meetings…
Croatia 2 (Perisic, Mandzukic) England 1 (Trippier), 2018 World Cup, July 2018
England 5 (Lampard 2, Gerrard 2, Rooney) Croatia 1 (Eduardo), 2010 World Cup Qualification, September 2009
Croatia 1 (Mandzukic) England 4 (Walcott 3, Rooney), 2010 World Cup Qualification, September 2008
Form guide…
Croatia: DDWLDL
England: DWLLLW
Odds…
Croatia to win: 17/10
England to win: 9/5
Draw: 2/1
0-0, 54 minutes
Great chance for Marcus Rashford!
England defend the corner well and clear, and Rashford finds acres of space in behind. Kyle Walker finds him excellently but Rashford completely mis-kicks his shot, scuffing it softly and allowing Dominik Livakovic (briefly wrong footed) to recover and gather.
The chances have begun to come.
0-0, 56 minutes
Another magnificent chance for Rashford!
Raheem Sterling cleverly feeds him after winning the ball back and Rashford controls it deftly, producing a one-on-one scenario once again.
But Rashford telegraphs which way he is going to put it and Livakovic saves well. Another chance squandered.
0-0, 58 minutes
Eric Dier beats Tin Jedvaj to a ball and the lunging Croatian right-back is perhaps a little fortunate to see only a yellow card.
It was a little high and Jedvaj wasn't in control. England free kick.
0-0, 59 minutes
England try their best to hand Croatia a goal with Ben Chilwell nearly bypassing John Stones playing across his own box and Jordan Pickford having to scramble to hack away Stones' resulting pass.
0-0, 61 minutes
You feel it won't be long until an alteration is made by one of the two managers. Several players are warming up.
0-0, 63 minutes
A replay is shown of the second Rashford chance and it really is an excellent save from Dominik Livakovic.
Rashford should have scored but a good moment for the inexperienced goalkeeper as he looks to stake a claim for that jersey with Danijel Subasic now retired.
0-0, 67 minutes
Good pace shown by Ante Rebic but the bobble again catches out Andrej Kramaric.
Rebic stops on the edge of the box and plays a nice square pass but Kramaric slices his shot well wide.
0-0, 68 minutes
First change at it comes from the hosts. Ivan Perisic is replaced by Marko Pjaca on the wing.
0-0, 70 minutes
Not a bad strike from Ante Rebic and Jordan Pickford is scrambling to his left.
The ball has beaten him and Rebic's curling 20-yarder sails just a foot beyond the post. Croatia beginning to threaten.
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