England vs Croatia: Looking back at the classic meetings between the two sides ahead of crunch UEFA Nations League clash

England vs Croatia: Looking back at the classic meetings between the two sides ahead of crunch UEFA Nations League clash
England take on Croatia in what is set to be a nerve-wracking UEFA Nations League match at Wembley on Sunday – a game you can listen to live on talkSPORT, kick-off 2pm.There is a huge amount at stake as a win for the Three Lions will see them reach the finals of the inaugural competition.Can England book their place in the final stage of the Nations League?7
Can England book their place in the final stage of the Nations League?
However, a score draw or a defeat will see Gareth Southgate’s men relegated to the second tier in what is the tenth occasion England and Croatia will have met.England vs Croatia Nations League match previewThe last time they played produced a fairly uneventful goalless draw behind closed doors in Rijeka but there have been some classic matches over the years.Below you can see six of the most memorable England matches against Croatia.

Rooney runs riot – Croatia 2-4 England (Euro 2004)

England only needed a draw to reach the last eight of Euro 2004 but Wayne Rooney, who was 18-years-old at the time, had other ideas.After Paul Scholes cancelled out Niko Kovac’s early goal, Rooney took the game by the scruff of the neck and murdered the Croatian defence – bagging a brace en route to the comfortable win.This was as good as things got for England at the tournament after losing to hosts Portugal in the quarter-finals and arguably as good as it got in England colours for Rooney.Wayne Rooneys five best England matchesRooney’s four-goal haul at Euro 2004 was his best performance at a major tournament for his country7
Rooney’s four-goal haul at Euro 2004 was his best performance at a major tournament for his country

Paul Robinson’s howler – Croatia 2-0 England (Euro 2008 qualifier)

It was a pretty abject display from Steve McLaren’s Three Lions but this game will always be remembered for one catastrophic mistakes from goalkeeper Paul Robinson.After Eduardo’s looping header gave the home side the lead, Gary Neville gave Robinson a routine backpass as England chased the game.However, the ball hit a bump on the pitch, going past Robinson’s swinging foot and into the net.When in doubt you can always blame the turf7
When in doubt you can always blame the turf
It summed up a wretched game and Euro 2008 qualifying campaign for England, as you’ll see later.

‘A wally with a brolly’ – England 2-3 Croatia (Euro 2008 qualifier)

Although England were terrible in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, their destiny was in their own hands going into the final match at home to Croatia – needing just a point to make it to Switzerland and Austria.However, a dreadful error from Three Lions custodian Scott Carson set England on their way to a dismal 3-2 loss to Slaven Bilic’s Croatia in November 2007.The loss saw Steve McLaren dismissed as England boss by the Football Association, who hired Fabio Capello a month later.McLaren’s time at the England helm was short-lived7
McLaren’s time at the England helm was short-lived
However, this was not before the Daily Mail labelled McLaren as ‘A wally with a brolly’ after he was photographed holding an umbrella during the rainy match.

Wicked Walcott – Croatia 1-4 England (World Cup 2010 qualifier)

There was huge hype about Theo Walcott when he was banging in goals left, right and centre for Southampton, which even led to him being given a stunning call-up for England’s 2006 World Cup squad.And his brilliant hat-trick during England’s 2010 World Cup qualifier victory over Croatia appeared to mark the occasion where the former Arsenal star would come of age.The win in September 2008 set England on their way to qualify for South Africa with ease but Walcott would not play a part in the tournament after somehow failing to make Capello’s final squad.Walcott scored three of his eight international goals in that game7
Walcott scored three of his eight international goals in that game

England’s false hope – England 5-1 Croatia (World Cup 2010 qualifier)

And England booked their place at the 2010 World Cup in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 drubbing of Croatia in September 2009.Doubles from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard as well as Rooney’s goal gave England fans all sorts of belief that they could make an impact the following summer.This was arguably’s England’s best display under Capello7
This was arguably’s England’s best display under Capello
However, it proved to be same old England at a major tournament as they scraped through to the knockouts, just about finishing second in a group containing the USA, Algeria and Slovenia.Capello’s men were torn apart by Germany in the last-16, losing 4-1 and the impressive qualifying displays became a very very distant memory from that point.

Ghost of 1966 returns – Croatia 2-1 England (World Cup 2018)

It seemed like football really was coming home when Kieran Trippier beautifully curled home a free-kick in the fifth minute of the 2018 World Cup semi-final clash.However, the Three Lions were unable to reach their first final since 1966 as goals from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic completed a turnaround win for the gifted Croatia side after extra-time.The moment that sent the England team and the entire nation into a frenzy!7
The moment that sent the England team and the entire nation into a frenzy!
Not that Southgate’s men needed any more incentive to beat Croatia but a Nations League triumph over their World Cup conquerors would be a decent consolation for the heartache in Russia.

Jurgen Klopp and Xherdan Shaqiri

Premier League table predicted: Super computer picks every position Fri, May 11, 2018 Express Sport reveals how the final 2017/18 Premier League table will look, according to Football Web Pages
Premier League 2018/19 final table: Super Compu | SportSpyder

Pogba has been one of Man United’s best performing players under Solskjaer

There were just 13 foreign players in the Premier League when it began in 1992 - now there are over 300. But of the 2,016 non-British and Irish players to grace the top flight since then, which import can be classed as the best?
The Premier League's most-lethal finishers (and the least

Sako started just three times for the Baggies

Ajax seemed to be in control of their Champions League semifinal after first-half goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech, but Tottenham stunned the Dutch side to reach its first Champions
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax - Champions League semi-final: RESULT

Harry Kane celebrates scoring England’s winner against Croatia to book their place in Portugal

The 2009-10 season was Stoke City's second season in the Premier League and the 54th in the top tier of English football.. After a successful first season in the Premier League, Stoke were looking to establish themselves in the top tier and spent just over £20 million on Diego Arismendi, Danny Collins, Robert Huth, Tuncay Åžanlı and Dean Whitehead.

This was Alexander-Arnold’s second Premier League goal

Neymar has been given a three-match ban, with an additional two games suspended, for hitting a fan after PSG's French Cup final defeat to Rennes. The Brazilian took issue with a fan filming him as
Neymar given three match ban for hitting fan after PSG cup

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is banned for the Bayern Munich clash

What about Chelsea's out of contract players? David Luiz, Olivier Giroud and Gary Cahill are the most high-profile players out of contract at the end of next month and have been able to speak with foreign clubs over a free transfer since January. Although, none of the trio have committed their futures elsewhere yet.
David Luiz could be forced out by Chelsea's over-30s contract

The moment Messi scored his hat-trick goal

Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: midfielders to pick for Gameweek 1, bargains Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: transfer deadline day signings to pick in your squad
Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 35

The Dutchman is well regarded at Arsenal

May 09, 2019 · Harry Kane helped to inspire Tottenham Hotspur's incredible Champions League semi-final fightback against Ajax with a passionate half-time speech to rescue reputations and give the squad what
UEFA Champions League: Harry Kane's halftime pep-talk

Rodgers will return to the Premier League for the first time since October 2015

(Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) Championship Leeds United promotion hopes take serious hit as Pontus Jansson is ruled out. The uncompromising Swede is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury on Saturday.
Pontus Jansson brilliantly mocks reports claiming Bielsa will

Chilwell earned his England debut in September

The Champions League group stage is drawing to a close, with just one matchday to go before the last 16 is determined. At the conclusion of the penultimate fixtures, 12 of the 16 spots in the knockout stages have been decided.
News list for eric dier insists tottenham must not sulk over

The first leg of the semi-final will be at the Nou Camp

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita suffered a groin injury that caused him to be substituted in the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.. Keita was taken off in the
Naby Keita to miss rest of Premier League season | CGTN Africa

Alex Telles is a doubt for the match

Joe Gomez returned from his injury lay-off in Liverpool's FA Cup third-round tie with Plymouth on 8 January Liverpool's Joe Gomez has signed a new "long-term" contract after returning from a 15
Joe Gomez signs new Liverpool long-term contract

Hull are not expected to continue their recent excellent run of form

Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday live on talkSPORT 2: Confirmed teams and free stream for Championship clash All you need to know to tune into the action from Carrow Road By Marc Williams
Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday live on talkSPORT 2: Confirmed
thesportsnewsking.com/norwich-vs-sheffield-wednesday-live-on-talksport-2-confirmed-teams-and-free-stream-for-championship-clash/
Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday: How to listen Full commentary from Carrow Road will be live on talkSPORT 2, with our coverage getting underway from 7:30pm. Nigel Adderley and David Connolly will bring you all the build-up and commentary and to tune in to the action just click here for the live stream or click the radio player below.
Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday live on talkSPORT 2: Confirmed

Teddy Sheringham and Arsenal

ADAM SHERGOLD: Sir Alex Ferguson returns to Old Trafford for the UNICEF Match on Saturday and to celebrate, we're counting down the top 50 players to star for him at Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson - Manchester United

Post a Comment

0 Comments