England turn match on its head to relegate Croatia and win their Nations League group
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Your support makes all the difference.Harry Kane ensured a year to cherish would end with a bang as England came from behind against World Cup semi-final foes Croatia to reach the inaugural Nations League Finals.
Just 130 days after breaking English hearts in Moscow, Zlatko Dalic's men looked set to prove the scourge of the Three Lions once more as Andrej Kramaric's deflected effort left them staring down the barrel of relegation.
But a stirring comeback from Gareth Southgate's side brought a memorable year to a fitting conclusion, with substitute Jesse Lingard scoring and clearing off the line before captain Kane secured a late 2-1 win which sees them top Group A4 ahead of Spain.
Baddiel & Skinner's 'Three Lions (Football's Coming Home)' rang around Wembley after a victory that condemned Croatia to relegation - the icing on the cake as England brought down the curtain on a year which saw them re-engage with the public and restore pride.
PA
Match preview
What time does it start?
England vs Croatia kicks off at 2:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 18th November.
Where can I watch it?
England vs Croatia will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Main Event and Football channels from 1:00pm (GMT).
Highlights will be on ITV at 11:10pm (GMT) on Sunday 18th November.
Player to watch…
Raheem Sterling: After failing to score in three years for England, Raheem Sterling’s double against Spain last month showed a player on the top of his game for both club and country. The 23-year-old has scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Manchester City this season, and will likely play alongside Harry Kane up front for this group decider after being rested for the 3-0 friendly win against USA.
Form guide…
England: LLWDWW
Croatia: LDLDWW
Odds…
England to win: 19/20
Croatia to win: 3/1
Draw: 12/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
GOAL! England 2-1 Croatia (Harry Kane, 85 minutes)
Harry Kane slides home England's second!
Ben Chilwell whips in a free kick from the left. Kane is beyond the Croatian defensive line and manages to get his toe to the ball, diverting it towards the bottom corner.
Wembley erupts as the ball kisses off the post and nestles in the back of the net.
Turned on its head.
England 2-1 Croatia, 88 minutes
To the corner go England. Raheem Sterling earns the throw.
Tough to see a way back for Croatia now. They've expended all their energy.
England 2-1 Croatia, 89 minutes
Jadon Sancho nearly beats Dejan Lovren but the Liverpool centre-half manages to recover and earn a free kick.
Time is ticking away, however...
England 2-1 Croatia, 90 minutes
Three minutes of stoppage time for Croatia to find an equaliser.
England 2-1 Croatia, 90 + 1 minutes
Luka Modric from 25 yards...
Deflected, bouncing in the box...
Jordan Pickford leaps over Ivan Perisic, flops to floor and will clear long.
England 2-1 Croatia, 90 + 2 minutes
England begin to run the game down.
One final chance to lump it forward for Croatia, but Luka Modric's pass is misplaced...
The full time whistle blows at Wembley Stadium, and England have beaten Croatia 2-1. Croatia are relegated, England top Group A4 and progress to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals thanks to Harry Kane's winner.
"Football's Coming Home" blares around Wembley.
England produced a superb performance but left it late, going behind 1-0 to Andrej Kramaric's defelcted effort.
But substitute Jesse Lingard tapped in Harry Kane's shot from a Joe Gomez long throw, before Kane diverted Ben Chilwell's free kick past Lovre Kalinic to earn victory.
Croatia were outclassed for most of that game but will be hugely disappointed to have lost that game after taking the lead, particularly knowing that a score draw would have been enough to preserve their place in the top tier of the Nations League.
They will begin the next edition in level B.
That's all from us here today. Stay tuned to The Independent for reaction and analysis to England's victory.
I've been Harry Latham-Coyle - thank you for joining me.
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