Match Summary

England Team

Croatia Team

England went into this game, full of confidence that they could gain the win they needed to progress in the new Nations League competition. However, there were all sorts of permutations depending on the result, so a full Wembley Stadium was geared up to travel through the emotions and ride the roller-coaster. England did not let them down and provided a belter of an afternoon.

A mistake by Jordan Pickford in the third minute almost gifted Croatia a dream start as he dashed from goal, hesitated as a shot hit him on the chest and then watched helplessly as Ante Rebic fired the rebound over the top of the empty goal. That was a let off, but England soon knuckled down and gradually took control. John Stones sent Kyle Walker scampering down the right but goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic beat Harry Kane to the ball. Raheem Sterling’s pace was already causing Croatia problems and a flick by Ross Barkley almost sent him through. That led to a corner, which then led to another as the England pressure grew.

England fashioned a fine chance in the 11th minute when a superb through ball from Kane sent Sterling away with just the goalkeeper to beat. He shot hard, but straight at Kalinic, and the goalkeeper blocked the shot. That was the best chance so far but immediately there was another close call as Stones headed across goal only for Kane to scuff his shot wide, the bounce beating the England talisman. Once again, despite the missed chances England had started really well and the Croatian defenders were using all their experience to stay in the game.

On 15 minutes another attack made everyone wonder how the ball stayed out of the visitors goal. Fabian Delph hit a fabulous pass towards Sterling but the goalkeeper blocked the ball. It ran loose to Kane though and the striker shot was headed off the line by Tin Jedvaj. The ball rebounded to Kane but this time the goalkeeper dived to turn the shot away. It was intense pressure from England, but they couldn’t quite find that crucial finish.

Croatia made a couple of dangerous breaks and it was obvious England would have to maintain concentration. Luka Modric is a class act in the midfield and from one attack Stones had to cut out a dangerous cross from Ivan Perisic. eventually Pickford saved the ball and immediately sent one of those terrific raking passes to Marcus Rashford who broke at tremendous speed. Only a last ditch tackle stopped the Manchester United youngster. Two minutes later and Ben Chilwell, having another fine match, fired in an angled drive which Kalinic did well to save.

There was a little bit of a lull in the play as the match approached the half-hour mark. An injury to Simi Vrsaljko meant that Croatia had to make an early change, Antonio Millic coming on to replace the defender. The Croatian attack were cleverly inter-changing and the England defenders had to be alert at all times.

On 40 minutes though a lovely move involving Chilwell, Delph and Kane ended with Barkley hitting the side-netting with his shot. At the other end Rebic again shot over and right on the whistle Perisic was only inches away from a Modric cross. At half-time it was tight and tense, although England had had much the better of the play, and the best chances. All to play for after the break.

The second-half continued in the same way, with England on top but Croatia dangerous on the break. Modric again finds Perisic with a fine pass but Stones is quickly across to stifle the danger. Eric Dier clears and Sterling’s pass sends Rashford sprinting away again on a fine run, but Kalinic again makes the save. England were so much on top, but they just could not find a killer finish. As so often happens in these situations, one lapse in concentration gives the opposition a chance, and this time Croatia take it. In the 57th minute the ball finds Andrej Kramaric in a central position 12 yards out. He is surrounded by defenders, although no challenge comes in. Kramaric twists and turns and eventually finds the space for a two shots, the first is blocked but rebounds to him, and the second shot hits Dier on the shin and loops over Pickford. The goalkeeper seemed to dive too early, but the end result is that Croatia take the lead and England need two goals.

Croatia were cock-a-hoop now and came close again with another break that led to Marcello Brozovic hitting his shot too high. At this point Gareth Southgate sent on Dele Alli for Barkley and with 69 minutes on the clock Croatia seemed in control, although Walker saw his shot saved by Kalinic. With 17 minutes to go Southgate brought on Jadon Sancho and Jesse Lingard for Rashford and Delph, to try and improve the attacking options. It was a brave move and after Croatia went close again the England changes came good.

In the 78th minute England had a throw in on the right. Joe Gomez took it and sent a long throw into the area. The ball flicked off someone’s head to Kane and although he was challenged he still managed to flick the ball under the keeper and towards the goalline. The ball was going agonisingly slowly, but Lingard was sharpest and tapped it over the line from six inches! Game on!

It was ironic because that goal had come against the run of play too, and it was England who now had their tails up. The game was on a knife-edge and the crowd really raised the decibel levels. The danger was not over though and Lingard turned from hero to superhero as he cleared a header from Domagoj Vida off the line. It was fever pitch, and in the 85th minute England won a free-kick on the left. The impressive Chilwell curled in a beauty and there, stretching at the far post was Kane, toe-ending the ball past Kalinic. Rarely has this new Wembley seen scenes like it as the crowd and the players went mental! It was still not over but England played out those last minutes very well with Stones and Gomez superb, Chilwell, the find of the season, and every player putting in a magnificent shift to see it over the line.

Strength, skill, character, resilience, all the things you say about Croatia, but this time we were talking about England! What a game, what a result, and what a way to finish what has been a terrific year for the England team.

To sum up, there was no doubt England deserved to win this match and although Croatia were often dangerous, there was no doubt that England had the better of the game, and the chances. These really are exciting times for our National team.
 

Source Notes