England 2-1 Croatia

Full-time stats

Match events

1. ⚽Morgan Rogers 1-0Assist: Jude Bellingham
   24'
   England
2. Half-time · 1-0
3. 59'
   ⚽Petar Sučić 1-1
   Croatia
4. 63'
   Ivan Smolcic
   Croatia
5. ⚽Harry Kane 2-1Penalty
   64'
   England
6. 70'
   ⇄Ante BudimirOff: Igor Matanović
   Croatia
7. 70'
   ⇄Mario PašalićOff: Petar Sučić
   Croatia
8. 76'
   ⇄Marco PašalićOff: Ivan Smolcic
   Croatia
9. 76'
   ⇄Luka ModrićOff: Josip Mišić
   Croatia
10. ⇄Rio NgumohaOff: Anthony Gordon
    77'
    England
11. ⇄James GarnerOff: Declan Rice
    77'
    England
12. ⇄Ben WhiteOff: Trent Alexander-Arnold
    78'
    England
13. 90'
    ⇄Lovro MajerOff: Mateo Kovačić
    Croatia
14. Full time · 2-1

Line-Ups

UEFA Nations League · League A - Group C

#	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Spain	5	+9	15
2	England	5	+12	12
3	Croatia	5	-11	3
4	Czechia	5	-10	0

Match info

Full-time stats

How it played out

1. Goodnight from us!

   Thank you for taking part in our first ever live match blog for England vs. Serbia. England's 2-1 win sends them to the final on Sunday in Spain. We hope you'll join us then.

2. VAR Says No!

   https://twitter.com/itvfootball/status/2120993257404457074

3. Kane eyes Spain showdown

   Next up is Spain in Madrid on Sunday, with top spot in the group on the line. Kane told ITV: "It's a perfect opportunity now on Sunday to try and prove ourselves."

   England now have the chance to top Group A3 and be seeded for the quarter-finals, but they'll need to beat the world champions on their own patch. On tonight's showing, they'll need to be a lot sharper.

4. Keane: "I'd love to know what he's thinking"

   Roy Keane, speaking on ITV (via Sky Sports' live text), pointed the finger at Trent Alexander-Arnold as well as Quansah for Croatia's goal: "I know Quansah has panicked. But Trent - you talk about smelling danger and people peeling off the back of him. They're the bits he's got to improve on."

   He went on: "He's walking away from the danger. At his age, it's like he'll never learn that side of it. I'd love to know what he's thinking. I don't understand."

   His overall verdict: "…there was a little bit of panic in the second half with some of their defending. But they got the job done."

5. Kane: "You can't expect everything to be perfect"

   Harry Kane, speaking to ITV after his record-breaking night: "An incredible gesture at the start of the game but it was all about getting the win. They are a tough team who wanted to prove something. For large spells we did well but got a little tired. It sets up a great game on Sunday."

   The skipper admitted England were sloppy: "We gave away too many easy balls in our own half which killed our momentum." He added: "We are in midst of a tough run of games for club and country so you can't expect everything to be perfect. We can improve and will need to on Sunday."

6. 126 caps, 92 goals: Kane's record night

   Harry Kane is now England's most-capped player of all time. Peter Shilton handed him a commemorative token before kick-off, and Kane marked his 126th cap with his 92nd England goal, a coolly taken penalty.

   Sky Sports' Peter Smith at Wembley: "It's a good job England have Harry Kane. Captain fantastic got his inevitable goal on his record-breaking night and played a big part in the opener." But he added: "Other than those moments, England were pretty poor and lacklustre, with jittery moments at the back."

7. "Instantly forgettable" - but a night to remember for Kane

   Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett, at Wembley, summed up a strange night: "As a game, it was instantly forgettable. As an occasion, it will live long in the memory."

   He didn't hold back on the performance either: "England were disappointing. Flat. Lifeless, in the main. Lacking energy, spark and invention." He said full-backs Alexander-Arnold and Hall "came out of it with some credit", and that Elliot Anderson "was as industrious and effective as ever".

8. As Usual, Harry Kane, Scores Goals

   https://twitter.com/England/status/2120987449166098791

9. FULL-TIME: England 2-1 Croatia

   Job done, but only just. Morgan Rogers' scrappy opener and a nerveless Harry Kane penalty on his record-breaking 126th cap are enough, after Quansah's error let Petar Sucic in to equalise. Croatia finished strongly, and Budimir headed just over in stoppage time.

   England are into the Nations League quarter-finals next March. Verdict: not pretty, not convincing, but Kane's night ends with a win.

10. England hanging on! (90')

    Squeaky-bum time at Wembley. Quansah, who gifted Croatia their goal, throws himself in front of Budimir's shot to block it. Then Gvardiol is left free at the back post and heads over. Croatia are not going quietly.

    Majer replaces Kovacic for the closing stages. We're into stoppage time.

11. Offside! Garner's goal ruled out (86')

    Heartbreak for James Garner. The substitute rolled Bellingham's lay-off into an empty net and was off celebrating what he thought was his first England goal, but a late flag went up. Garner was ruled offside after he and Rogers had squeezed Gvardiol off the ball earlier in the move.

    Still 2-1. Four minutes plus stoppage time to go.

12. Let off for England! (82')

    Huge chance for Croatia. Vlasic turns Dan Burn with a lovely first touch and is almost in on goal, and England get away with it.

    This is getting nervy at Wembley. Croatia sense a point.

13. Triple change for England after a scare (78')

    Warning sign! Rice misses Baturina's deep free-kick and substitute Budimir only gets a glancing header on it. Croatia were inches from a second equaliser.

    Tuchel finally acts. Ben White, Ngumoha and Garner come on for Alexander-Arnold, Gordon and Rice. Some England fans still boo White as he comes on.

14. Modric on, Kane so close to a second (74')

    Kane nearly made it two, rising above Gvardiol to meet Gordon's cross but heading over.

    Then a legend arrives. Luka Modric comes on for Misic, and it's his 207th cap, which makes even Kane's record look modest. Marco Pasalic replaces Smolcic. Eze is warming up for England.

15. Croatia double change (70')

    Bilic rolls the dice. Budimir and Mario Pasalic come on for Matanovic and goalscorer Sucic.

    Still no changes from Tuchel, even though England are struggling to find any rhythm. Bellingham has barely been involved since the opener.

16. Goal

    GOAL! England 2-1 Croatia (Kane pen 64')

    WHO ELSE?! On the night he becomes England's most-capped player, Harry Kane rolls the penalty straight down the middle. Cool as you like.

    That's goal number 92 for his country in cap number 126. England are back in front.

17. PENALTY TO ENGLAND! VAR steps in (62')

    A chance for instant redemption! Quansah, at fault for the equaliser, was hauled down by Smolcic at an England corner. After a VAR review, England have a penalty.

18. Goal

    GOAL! England 1-1 Croatia (Sucic 59')

    Croatia are level, and England only have themselves to blame. Jarell Quansah, who has had a tough night, makes a horrible mistake at the back, and Sucic punishes it.

    All square at Wembley with half an hour to play.

19. England knocking on the door (55')

    The pressure is building. Bellingham feeds Rogers in the box and his lay-off nearly finds Gordon, who goes down, but there's nothing in it. Bellingham smashes the loose ball straight at Livakovic.

    Moments later Gordon spots a gap at the far post and fires just wide. A second goal feels close.

20. Denied! Stanisic stops Kane's record-night goal (51')

    Wembley was out of its seats. Kane looked certain to score on his record-breaking night, but Stanisic raced across to throw himself in the way and block it.

    Gordon has already curled one wide from a tight angle since the restart, but the atmosphere has gone flat again.

21. Second half under way (46')

    We're back under way at Wembley, and Thomas Tuchel has made no changes at the break.

    Elsewhere, Spain lead Czech Republic 1-0, so they keep their three-point lead at the top. England look all but certain to join them in the last eight, with top spot up for grabs on Sunday.

22. HALF-TIME: England 1-0 Croatia

    Morgan Rogers' scrappy 24th-minute finish has England ahead at the break, after a slick move from Kane to Bellingham to Rogers. There was no stoppage time.

    It was a slow start, and Croatia had the better of the first 15 minutes, but England have been the better side since. Pickford has had a couple of routine saves to make. England are firmly on course for the Nations League quarter-finals.

23. Exhibition feel as half-time nears (44')

    England are in control, but after all the pre-match fanfare for Kane this has the feel of a testimonial at times. Alexander-Arnold blazes one high over the bar, and at the other end Baturina's shot goes straight at Pickford.

    Croatia are seeing more of the ball as the half closes out.

24. Pre-Match Croatia Joined In Congratulating Harry Kane

    https://twitter.com/England/status/2120969747336773817?a=-NUP7ZoP0s8_KSCze28&s=20

25. Pickford tested, Bellingham denied (35')

    Croatia carve out their best chance yet. Baturina skips past Quansah on the break and Kovacic curls one from the edge of the box, but Pickford takes it in his midriff.

    England go straight up the other end. Rogers slips Bellingham in, Gvardiol blocks his shot and Vlasic hooks it clear with an overhead kick.

26. England on top after the opener (31')

    The goal has flipped this game on its head. Gordon skins Smolcic and fizzes a low ball across that's cleared just before it reaches Rogers. Hall then has a cross blocked, and Burn has a header charged down from the resulting corner.

    England went from penned in to pinning Croatia back in the space of ten minutes.

27. Morgan Rogers Fine Club Form Continues For Country

    https://twitter.com/England/status/2120972678450589994
28. Goal

    GOAL! England 1-0 Croatia (Rogers 24')

    ENGLAND LEAD! It wasn't pretty, but who cares? Record-breaker Harry Kane lifts a delicate ball over to Jude Bellingham on the right of the box, and Bellingham squares it across. Gvardiol only half-clears, and Morgan Rogers bundles it in past a diving Livakovic.

29. England turning the screw (20')

    Now we're talking. Both full-backs are pushed right up, and Alexander-Arnold has a strike blocked by Misic. Then he floats a gorgeous 30-yard ball into Rogers' run at the far post, but Rogers' first-time cross along the six-yard box has nobody on the end of it.

    Croatia had the first 15 minutes. These last five have belonged to England.

30. So close for Anderson! (15')

    England's best move of the night. Rice, Rogers and Anderson zip it about on the edge of the box, and Elliot Anderson's snap shot from 20 yards flashes just wide. He's still waiting for a first England goal.

    The Three Lions are finally waking up. Kane has started spraying long passes out to Gordon and Hall from deep.

31. Sloppy start from England (10')

    Ten minutes gone and England still haven't clicked. Kane was dispossessed on the edge of his own box, Jordan Pickford gave away a cheap corner dawdling on the ball, and Alexander-Arnold overcooked a curler meant for Gordon.

    Wembley is quiet. Croatia look like a side out to make amends for last month.

32. Before a ball was kicked, Wembley gave Harry Kane a night to remember

    https://twitter.com/England/status/2120967924445823137

33. Croatia on the front foot early

    This is not the Croatia side England thrashed 7-0 in Rijeka last month. The visitors have had the better of the opening minutes, pinning England back, and Matanovic nearly got on the end of a Smolcic cross before it ran behind.

34. KICK-OFF: England 0-0 Croatia

    We're up and running at Wembley, a touch later than planned after the pre-match celebrations for Harry Kane. Croatia get us going, and England attack the away end in the first half.

    A point tonight would seal England's place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Come on, England!

35. “This should be a comfortable night’s work for England. On paper the gap between these two sides looks significant, and with home advantage and a full house behind them, anything other than a convincing win would be a disappointment. The occasion belongs to Harry Kane, though. He’s back at Wembley for the first time since winning the Ballon d’Or, and the reception he gets as he leads the team out for his 126th cap will be something special. It’s a moment for England supporters to properly celebrate one of the finest players this country has ever produced, and I’d expect him to want to mark it in the only way he knows how, by finding the net. With Kane leading the line and so much attacking quality around him, Croatia could be in for a long evening. I’m predicting a hatful of goals.”

36. Teams out at Wembley as Kane's record night begins

    The players are out at a sold-out, freezing Wembley. Harry Kane leads England out as he becomes the Three Lions' most-capped player ever, with a giant tifo of the skipper unfurled in the West Stand.

    Croatia go with a back three, with Luka Modric starting on the bench. Kick-off is moments away.

37. Would you risk Bellingham tonight before Sunday's fixture!

    Jude Bellingham is in the starting XI tonight, even though one more booking would rule him out of Sunday’s potential Nations League group decider through suspension. It’s no real shock to see England’s player of the year start, but if the Three Lions are cruising, don’t be surprised if he’s withdrawn early to protect him for the weekend.

38. Team news: England and Croatia line-ups confirmed

    England XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Hall, Rice, Burn, Quansah, Anderson, Kane, Bellingham, Gordon, Rogers

    Substitutes: Trafford (GK), Steele (GK), Gibbs-White, White, Hill, Branthwaite, Bellingham, Garner, Calvert-Lewin, Ngumoha, Eze, King

    Croatia XI: Livaković; Stanišić, Vušković, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Vlašić, Smolčić, Baturina, Sučić, Matanović, Mišić

    Substitutes: Pandur (GK), Kotarski (GK), Ćaleta-Car, Galešić, Majer, Beljo, Modrić, Budimir, Mario Pašalić, Hrgović, Marco Pašalić, Šotiček

    Suspended: Lewis-Skelly (England), Perišić (Croatia).

    Line-ups as listed on UEFA.com's official match page

39. England Team News!

    https://twitter.com/England/status/2120947538542915669?a=ekfr02mnwatm2phPilk&s=20

40. CEF Gaz Previews England vs. Croatia

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL4JBXz_vzM

41. Croatia, The Usual England Stumbling Block at Wembley This Evening?

    Welcome to Dave.Sport’s live coverage of England vs Croatia on Match Day 5 on the Nations League, with kick-off at 19:45 UK time at the home of football Wembley Stadium. Few fixtures carry quite as much history for England supporters. Croatia have been a recurring obstacle over the years, from the Euro 2008 qualifying defeat at Wembley that ended Steve McClaren’s reign to the extra-time heartbreak of the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow. England have had their moments too, including the 1-0 win at Wembley in the opening game of Euro 2020.

42. England vs. Croatia LIVE!

    The Dave.Sport team will be testing our new match centre live updates system this for the England vs. Croatia Nations League fixture at Wembley. Stay tuned.