Key events<\/p>\n
1 min: England<\/a> launch it long. Livakovi\u0107 comes out of his box to clear. The kids are making a hell of a racket. The kids are alright.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n England get the ball rolling. That Croatian anthem really is a banger<\/a>, you know.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The teams are out! Croatia are in their red-and-white chessboard shirts, while England sport second-choice red. Beautiful, storied, world-famous tops showcased respectively in the 2018 and 1966 World Cup finals. Plenty of noise (albeit more high-pitched than usual<\/a>) at the Stadion HNK Rijeka, where Croatia have never lost a competitive fixture. We\u2019ll be up and running once the anthems have been parped. Oh, blue sea, tell the world how a Croat loves his people, God save Chas, etc.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Pre-match postbag. \u201cThe Rijeka cage is a fantastic away end despite looking so terrible. Was there last year for Rijeka versus Shelbourne. The police march you in, take any lighters you might have, then leave you alone in the cage. The view over the city makes the trek up the hills and the never-ending steps well worth it. And the nearby shop sells cheap beer. Perfection\u201d \u2013 Steve Jones<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I know nothing, but Modri\u0107 seems like a nice guy, a unifying figure who is adored by his country\u2019s fans. Likewise other distinguished elder statesmen at the end of their careers such as D\u017eeko, Lewandowski and McGinn. I\u2019m sure CR7 is also lovely, but the playing on to reach 1,000 goals thing? Contrary to what McFly might think, it\u2019s not all about you, Cristiano\u201d \u2013 Simon McMahon<\/p>\n \u201cYears ago Thibaut Courtois said that Pickford was too short to be an elite goalkeeper. Would some of Pickford\u2019s acrobatic saves have been routine for a keeper of Trafford\u2019s height and wingspan? Would Trafford have saved Fernandez\u2019s shot?\u201d \u2013 Gary Stover<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome.\u201d Photograph: Bradley Collyer\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.53 EDT<\/p>\n Thomas Tuchel speaks to ITV. \u201c[Being in Rijeka on the sunny Adriatic coast] has helped us to unwind and recharge our batteries \u2026. now we need to switch on \u2026 the atmosphere is very different \u2026 we want to make it really competitive \u2026 I think we are up for it \u2026 [Alex Scott] did so well when he made his debut \u2026 the full package \u2026 there is a lot to defend on [Jarell Quansah\u2019s] side with [Ivan] Peri\u0161i\u0107 \u2026 we have [Trent Alexander-Arnold] as an option from the bench \u2026 hopefully we can get the edge in physicality.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Been Around The Block dept. Harry Kane will win his 124th cap for England<\/a> today. That will put him just one appearance shy of Peter Shilton\u2019s all-time record of 125 for his country. Jordan Pickford is the next cab off the rank for England \u2013 he\u2019ll be winning his 92nd cap here \u2013 then it\u2019s Bukayo Saka who\u2019ll make it to 58. Croatia by comparison have experience up the yin-yang: Luka Modri\u0107 will earn his 203rd cap today, while Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107 and Mateo Kova\u010di\u0107 will win caps 159 and 118 respectively. Should Andrej Kramari\u0107 get on at any point, he\u2019ll pick up his 120th Croatian cap.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how Nations League<\/a> A Group 3 stands going into today\u2019s round of matches. Spain host Czechia later this evening. Once it all comes down, the top two will qualify for the quarter-finals next March.<\/p>\n 1. Spain P2 GD+4 Pts 6 Share<\/a><\/p>\n An old friend is back in the Croatian dugout. Kloppesque salt-and-pepper beard x (Bielsistian glasses-on-string + Simeone-style all-black wardrobe) = all-new distinguished Slaven Bilic. Aleksandar Holiga, editor-in-chief of Croatian website Telesport<\/a>, reports.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Pre-match stories from Camp England<\/a>. Jordan Pickford and Sheikh Mansour Thomas Tuchel set the scene.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Trent Alexander-Arnold may have impressed against the Czechs, but he loses his place to former Liverpool team-mate Jarell Quansah. Alex Scott is handed his first international start, while Jordan Pickford reclaims his spot in goal.<\/p>\n Croatia meanwhile are captained by the evergreen Luka Modri\u0107. Not all 41-year-olds are washed up.<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.02 EDT<\/p>\n The teams<\/p>\n Croatia: Livakovi\u0107, Stani\u0161i\u0107, Vu\u0161kovi\u0107, Gvardiol, Peri\u0161i\u0107, Modri\u0107, Kova\u010di\u0107, Ivanovi\u0107, Petar Su\u010di\u0107, Baturina, Musa. England: Pickford, Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, Hall, Anderson, Bellingham, Scott, Saka, Kane, Gordon. Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.59 EDT<\/p>\n England are coming off the back of an ultimately comfortable 2-0 win in Czechia. Relive that here and now, one, two, three.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Today\u2019s match is officially being played behind closed doors. Croatia are being punished for crowd trouble during a Nations League quarter-final against France. However, football fans can\u2019t take anything at face value these days<\/a>, and this is no exception. Uefa rules allow an exception for kids up to the age of 14 from the local Rijeka area, and up to 6,000 plus guardians are expected to attend. Throw in the 100 England fans allowed in and the 8,200-seat stadium should be around two-thirds full.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Welcome to the rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Yes, England have won their last three games against Croatia, the latest in some style in Arlington this summer<\/a>, but memories of the 2018 World Cup semi-final<\/a> loom largest whenever these two countries meet, that\u2019s just how it is and we don\u2019t write the rules. Steve McClaren\u2019s not complaining<\/a>, to be fair. Kick-off is at 5pm BST. It\u2019s on!<\/p>\n
2. England P2 GD+1 Pts 3
3. Croatia P2 GD-2 Pts 3
4. Czechia P2 GD-3 Pts 0<\/p>\n
Subs: Pandur, Kotarski, Smol\u010di\u0107, \u0160utalo, Kramari\u0107, Vla\u0161i\u0107, Pa\u0161ali\u0107, Jaki\u0107, Pa\u0161ali\u0107, Matanovi\u0107, Luka Su\u010di\u0107, Mi\u0161i\u0107.<\/p>\n
Subs: Trafford, Steele, Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Ngumoha, Branthwaite, Lewis-Skelly, Rogers, Garner, Calvert-Lewin, Gibbs-White, Eze.<\/p>\n