England 2-1 Croatia: Harry Kane Winner Sets Up Spain Showdown

England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley to keep the pressure on Spain at the top of their UEFA Nations League group.

The home side took the lead midway through the first half through Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers before Petar Sucic equalised just before the hour mark, and Harry Kane scored a second-half penalty to seal the points for England. The result means Thomas Tuchel’s side have qualified for March’s Nations League quarter-finals, and will top Group A3 if they beat Spain in Madrid on Sunday.

Rogers Breaks Deadlock

Croatia started the match much more strongly than they did their previous game against England in October. Croatia manager Slaven Bilic described the 7-0 defeat as “a blackout” but told reporters that his side “have a model of how to play against England.”

Bilic’s game plan seemed to involve pressing England high up the pitch, with striker Igor Matanovic pressurising England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the fifth minute.

England grew into the game, however, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold having a shot from the edge of the box blocked by Josip Misic. England captain Kane, who earned his 126th England cap in this match, breaking Peter Shilton’s all-time record, began to drop deeper midway through the first half. Kane’s lofted ball from the left-hand side of the penalty area found Jude Bellingham at the byline in the 24th minute.

Bellingham’s pullback led to a miscommunication between goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and left-back Josko Gvardiol, which Rogers turned home to give England the lead.

Thomas Tuchel’s side continued to probe throughout the remainder of the first half, with left-back Lewis Hall having a shot blocked at the edge of the penalty area, and Alexander-Arnold shooting over from range.

Hall was also involved at the other end of the pitch when he cleared Martin Baturina’s cross just before half-time.

Kane Scores on Record Appearance

England came close to doubling their lead shortly after half-time when Josip Stanisic blocked Kane’s close-range effort.

Croatia continued to fashion chances, however, and equalised in the 59th minute when Petar Sucic pounced on an error from Jarell Quansah to poke the ball past Jordan Pickford following a corner.

Quansah was involved again minutes later when he was brought down by Smolcic in Croatia’s penalty area.

Referee Morten Krogh initially waved away England’s protests before being sent to review the decision by VAR. The penalty was eventually given, with Kane sending Livakovic the wrong way to restore England’s lead.

Bilic brought veteran Croatia captain Luka Modric off the bench with 15 minutes remaining, with the intention of boosting his side’s midfield creativity. Modric was involved in the build-up to substitute Ante Budimir’s late header, which floated narrowly over Pickford’s bar.

Player of the Match: Lewis Hall

Hall was defensively sound throughout the game, dealing calmly with Croatia’s crosses.

He also combined well with Kane and Anthony Gordon to maintain England’s left-sided attacking threat, despite the creative options offered by Alexander-Arnold on the opposite flank.

What’s Next?

England will travel to Madrid to play Spain on Sunday evening, knowing that only a win will allow Thomas Tuchel’s side to finish top of Group A3. The Three Lions will then play both legs of their Nations League quarter-final in the final week of March next year. Croatia will host Czechia in Osijek on Sunday.

The game against Czechia, along with results from the other three League A groups, will determine whether Bilic’s side will begin their Euro 2028 qualifying campaign in March.

A defeat for Croatia would most likely mean that Bilic’s side will first have to negotiate a Nations League relegation play-off.