England Fail To avenge Croatia World Cup Defeat

By Joshua Walters 

England enjoyed a bigger percentage of possession, but still could not pull a revenge on Croatia as the two sides settled for a barren draw at Rijeka on Friday.

The UEFA Nations League game was the repeat of the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final duel which Croatia won 2-1, and Gareth Southgate's men could not avenge that defeat despite playing Zlatko Dali?'s team behind an empty Stadion HNK stadium except playing 54 percent of possession.

England are 2nd in Group-4 with one point in two games, but ahead of Croatia, who have similar points, as they clash with leaders, Spain, on Monday.

Jordan Henderson went into referee Felix Brych’s book in the 6th minute with a yellow card, Mateo Kovacic followed suit for Croatia for indecency in the 25th minute, twelve minutes before Andrej Kramaric had time and space inside the box, but shot towards into the waiting hands of Jordan Pickford.

Eric Dier saw his 44th-minute header clash off the left post, Ivan Perisic beat his marker in the 51st minute and unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the box, but had his effort saved by Pickford.

Harry Kane had a good opportunity a few seconds later when he latched on to a cross from the wing, but his header from the six-yard box was not accurate enough as it glanced away off the crossbar.

John Stones picked up a yellow card in the 52nd minute, Marcus Rashford took a wonderful touch after collecting a pass inside the box and steered a shot goalwards, but Dominik Livakovic stopped the ball with a decent save.

Tin Jedvaj got a booking in the 57th minute, and Ante Rebic took a short pass in his stride and attempted to beat Pickford from mid-range, but the shot screeched just wide of the right post.

Raheem Sterling went into the referee’s book in the 72nd minute, and Harry Kane had a goal disallowed for offside minutes later as the sides settled for a barren draw.