National Teams

First UEFA Nations League point

Croatia and England
settle for a draw in
Rijeka

12.10.2018.
Croatia and England settle for a draw in Rijeka
photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
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In the second UEFA Nations League match, the Vatreni gained their first point through a goalless draw with England at Rujevica.

CROATIA - ENGLAND 0:0 (0:0)
UEFA Nations League, League A, Group 4.
Rujevica Stadium, Rijeka

Referee: F. Brych (Germany)

Goals: - 

Cautions: Henderson (6'), Kovačić (25'), Lovren (45'), Stones (52'), Jedvaj (59'), Sterling (72')

Croatia: Livaković, Pivarić, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj, Kovačić (73' Badelj), Rakitić, Modrić, Perišić (68' Pjaca), Rebić (80' Livaja), Kramarić. Head coach: Z. Dalić.

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chillwell, Dier, Henderson, Barkley, Sterling (78' Sancho), Rashford, Kane. Head coach: G. Southgate.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

In a 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals replay, Croatia faced England in the second round of UEFA Nations League matches, following the both teams' losses to Spain in September.

Behind closed doors in Rijeka, excitements were scarce until the closing minutes of the first half, when Pickford saved Kramarić's effort from the box, while Dier's header struck the post. 

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the opening minutes of the second half, Perišić was the first to threaten the goalkeeper, but it was the Three Lions that created opportunities: two Rashford efforts were saved by Livaković, and Kane's header hit the crossbar.

Croatia head coach tried with Pjaca, Badelj, and Livaja, and on 70 minutes Rebić was looking for the top corner, but it went just wide. England had some promising moves in the build-up, but without real danger.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

After a goalless draw, England visits Spain on Monday, and in November Croatia hosts Spain only to close the Group 4 competition at Wembley.  

On Monday in Rijeka, Croatia hosts Jordan national team in a friendly international. 

UEFA Nations League, League A, Group 4:
1. Spain 6 (2)
2. England 1 (2)
3. Croatia 1 (2)

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

12.10.2018., Rujevica, Rijeka. Spectators: 0
Referees: Felix Brych (GER), Mark Borsch (GER), Stefan Lupp (GER)
Fourth referee: Dominik Schaal (GER)
Croatia
0
England
0
1Dominik Livaković1Jordan Pickford
7Ivan Rakitić2Kyle Walker
10Luka Modrić3Ben Chilwell
8Mateo Kovačić
25'
73'		4Eric Dier
16Tin Jedvaj
59'		5John Stones
52'
22Josip Pivarić6Harry Maguire
8'
4Ivan Perišić
68'		7Ross Barkley
21Domagoj Vida8Jordan Henderson
6Dejan Lovren
45'		9Harry Kane
9Andrej Kramarić10Raheem Sterling
72'
78'
18Ante Rebić
80'		11Marcus Rashford
Bench
12Simon Sluga13Jack Butland
14Filip Bradarić21Marcus Bettinelli
5Matej Mitrović12Kieran Trippier
15Mario Pašalić14Trent Alexander-Arnold
20Marko Pjaca
68'		15Lewis Dunk
3Antonio Milić16Joe Gomez
19Milan Badelj
73'		17Harry Winks
17Ivan Santini18Nathaniel Chalobah
13Marko Livaja
80'		19Mason Mount
11Marko Rog20James Maddison
2Karlo Bartolec22Jadon Sancho
78'
Coaches
Zlatko DalićGareth Southgate

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić and defender Domagoj Vida held a press conference regarding the upcoming friendly international with Jordan.

Zlatko Dalić

"This match will be useful, to give an opportunity to the players who have played less in the national team. They will have a chance to secure their place within the squad in the next matches. I hope for a full crowd, a nice atmosphere, a good performance, and Croatia's victory. Due to minor injury, Kovačić joins Modrić, Rakitić, and Perišić in returning to their respective clubs, and barring other problems, Livaković, Bartolec, Vida, Lovren, Milić, Badelj, Pašalić, Rog, Kramarić, Pjaca and Rebić are the starting lineup. In the second half, Jedvaj, Mitrović, Santini, Livaja, and Bradarić come on. We have seen a video of Jordan, and I know two of their players - one really fast, similar to Sterling. Jordan will try to outplay us, seeking a positive result. Croatia as the World Cup runner-up is now a target, an extra motivation for every opponent, and we must retain our reputation playing at a maximum level. We are now in a winless streak, and we have to start winning. I hope we can play well"

Domagoj Vida

"Being the captain is a special honour, pleasure, and joy. To lead Croatia is an extra motivation, and I would like to thank the head coach for trusting me. Of course, this friendly will be a quality test for some players who are not always in Croatia's starting lineup. We are looking forward to finally have home fans' support, and I hope for a good performance as well, and a win over Jordan, and an enjoyable evening for all the spectators"