M. Kovačić
Manchester City · UEFA Nations League · Midfielder · #8 · Croatia · 31 yrs
M. Kovačić news
Man City deem first-team midfielder surplus to requirements after record Elliot Anderson capture
Mateo Kovacic could become the next high-profile player to leave Manchester City this summerCroatia star and four-time UEFA Champions League winner reportedly free to find new clubMore midfielders cou...
Cristiano Ronaldo draws level with Lionel Messi in World Cup history after penalty vs Croatia
Stepping up to the penalty spot, Ronaldo fired a strike that echoed across history, officially drawing level with Messi's World Cup legacy. The eternal duel between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has birthed yet another immortal chapter. In the wake of Portugal‘s breathless 2-1 conquest over Croatia in the Round of 32, a seismic milestone was reached. Stepping up to the penalty spot, Ronaldo fired a strike that echoed across history, officially drawing level with Messi’s World Cup legacy. The knockout clash in Toronto delivered everything expected from two experienced European sides. Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic, Portugal responded through Ronaldo from the penalty spot, and Goncalo Ramos headed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send Portugal into the Round of 16. Portugal endured a frustrating opening period despite creating promising situations around Croatia’s penalty area. Ronaldo came close on a couple of occasions, while Joao Cancelo repeatedly looked dangerous from the left, but neither side managed to break the deadlock before halftime. The match exploded into life after the interval when the Checkered Ones grew in confidence. Mateo Kovacic tested Diogo Costa before Perisic fired home to hand Croatia a valuable advantage and put the Selecao das Quinas under immediate pressure. Zlatko Dalic’s players nearly doubled their lead moments later as Costa produced another pair of important saves. Portugal, however, gradually regained control and found the breakthrough after Renato Veiga was brought down inside the penalty area. Ronaldo equals Messi with latest World Cup penalty achievement With Portugal needing a response, Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 68th minute, keeping his composure under enormous pressure. Although he had earlier seen a well-taken finish ruled out for offside, the captain made no mistake from 12 yards. That successful penalty also saw Ronaldo equal Lionel Messi in one remarkable piece of World Cup history. Both superstars have now scored four penalties in FIFA World Cup matches (excluding penalty shootouts), placing them level among the tournament’s greatest penalty takers. 🚨BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo is now level with Lionel Messi for the most penalty goals at the FIFA World Cup, despite playing fewer games.😳 pic.twitter.com/sJIz22W9QI— Kalshi Sports (@KalshiSports) July 3, 2026 Only Harry Kane, with five successful World Cup penalties, currently sits ahead of both soccer icons. With the knockout stages still underway, that record could yet change before the tournament concludes. Portugal completes the comeback as Ronaldo adds more milestones Roberto Marinez and his players continued pushing after the equalizer and eventually found their reward deep into stoppage time. Substitute Goncalo Ramos timed his run perfectly to head home Rafael Leao’s cross and complete a memorable comeback victory. Croatia believed it had rescued extra time moments later when Josko Gvardiol found the net. However, following a lengthy VAR review, Mario Pasalic was judged to have been offside during the build-up, leaving Croatia heartbroken as Portugal celebrated qualification. Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates after scoring against Croatia. The penalty carried even greater significance beyond helping Portugal advance. It was Ronaldo’s first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, ending a statistic that had followed him throughout an extraordinary international career. Before the game, the Portuguese captain had gone through eight previous World Cup knockout appearances without finding the net. The strike also made Ronaldo the oldest player ever to score in a World Cup knockout-stage match, adding yet another record to an already remarkable résumé.
Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Enzo Maresca’s stars to clash in last-16 as Portugal defeat Croatia
Ruben Dias and Portugal came from behind to record a hugely dramatic 2-1 win against Croatia despite an outstanding individual performance from Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic.Portugal booked their ...
Are Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric playing? Portugal vs Croatia confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup game
Portugal and Croatia face off in a crucial Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will look to lead their teams through to the next round. One of the most anticipated ties of the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 takes place at Toronto Stadium, where Portugal and Croatia face each other in a matchup that will see Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric battling for a spot in the next round. Portugal advanced as runners-up in Group K, opening their campaign with a goalless draw against DR Congo before bouncing back with a 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan, then closing out the group with another stalemate, this time against Colombia. For this match, Cristiano Ronaldo will start and lead the line as captain, having played every minute of the group stage and already scored twice at this tournament. Croatia, meanwhile, secured their spot in the knockouts after a shaky start, bouncing back from an opening 4-2 defeat to England with wins over Panama and Ghana to also finish second in Group L. Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Portugal. (Getty Images) For this pivotal fixture, Luka Modric will start as well, continuing to run the show in midfield at 40 years old despite his manager carefully managing his minutes through the group phase. Portugal confirmed lineup Roberto Martinez is expected to lean on largely the same group that has carried Portugal through the group stage, with Ronaldo leading the attack as the focal point up top, flanked by pace and creativity out wide. Portugal’s confirmed starting XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao. Croatia confirmed lineup Zlatko Dalic is projected to stick with the setup that got Croatia through the group phase, with Modric orchestrating things from deep alongside Mateo Kovacic, and Ante Budimir leading the line up front. Croatia’s confirmed starting XI: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Marin Pongracic, Ivan Perisic; Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric; Nikola Vlasic, Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina; Ante Budimir.
Who, when and where will England and Croatia play in the Round of 32? Group L final standings
With England and Croatia’s victory, the Group L has already been defined their standings. Despite suffering a defeat, Zlatko Dalić’s team to qualify for the Round of 32 as runners-up. As a result, they already have opponents and venues for their upcoming match. England and Croatia have secured their future at the 2026 World Cup, booking their places in the Round of 32. While Zlatko Dalić’s team suffered a defeat in their first game, they managed to secure two victories, recovering their consistency. Thomas Tuchel’s team also secured two victories, consolidating their top spot. As a result, the Group B standings are now fully determined, meaning both national teams already know their opponents, venues, and match dates. Zlatko Dalić has managed to restructure Croatia’s sporting project. With Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić as their veteran leaders, they have balanced their experience with young talent. As in their golden era, they have built their team around numerous midfielders to dominate the tempo of the game. However, their wing-backs have been shining, taking advantage of the space to create chances that Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic have managed to convert. Applying a high press and a possession-based style of play, England comfortably defeated Panama. To do so, Harry Kane remained the focal point of the team, dropping deep to receive the ball. In addition, he also excelled in the goalscoring department, alongside Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford on the wings. Maintaining defensive solidity, they consistently caused problems for their opponents, showing why they are among the tournament’s top contenders. Round of 32 venues and opponents for England, Croatia After finishing as the winners of Group L, England will face the third-placed team from Group K, DR Congo. Far from being an easy match, they will come up against one of the most attack-minded teams at the 2026 World Cup. The Round of 32 match will be played at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 1, at 12:00 p.m. EST. As a result, Thomas Tuchel’s team will not have much time to recover before the match. Harry Kane of England Croatia have managed to recover from their disappointing start, winning their last two matches to secure their place as the runners-up. As a result, they will face the second-place team from Group K, Portugal. The match will be played at Toronto Stadium on July 2 at 7:00 PM EST. Therefore, Luka Modrić’s team face a very difficult challenge in their bid to reach the Round of 16. Group L Full Standings: Latest Rankings Revealed England managed to demonstrate their favoritism in Group L of the 2026 World Cup, securing two key victories that earned them first place. Croatia secured second place with two victories, earning six points. Ghana will still compete in the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. Finally, Panama delivered competitive performances, but they did not manage to earn any points in the tournament. PointsGoal-Difference1. England7 42. Croatia6 03. Ghana4 04. Panama1 -4
Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Mateo Kovacic provides as Croatia secure 2nd place with Ghana win
Mateo Kovacic recorded a goal contribution at the FIFA World Cup as Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 to secure second place in Group L this tournament.Croatia secured their spot in the World Cup round of 32...
Is Luka Modric playing? Croatia vs Ghana confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group L game
Despite their defeat in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, Croatia still dream of reaching the Round of 32 as the runners-up in Group L, facing Ghana today. With this in mind, fans are keeping a close eye on the presence of Luka Modrić, as he could make the difference. Croatia disappointed in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, losing 4–2 to England. However, they managed to keep their hopes alive by defeating Panama. Looking to secure their place as the runners-up in Group L, they face Ghana in their final group-stage match. Needing a victory, fans are closely watching the status of Luka Modrić in Zlatko Dalić’s team. Luka Modrić will start for Croatia, as he is fully fit and has no suspensions pending. As the central figure of the team’s play, head coach Zlatko Dalić could hand him a starting role for the third consecutive match, looking to dominate possession and limit Ghana. Despite already being 40 years old, he remains one of the tournament’s best midfielders, standing out for his vision, passing, and physical consistency. Alongside Modrić, Croatia will start Mateo Kovacic and Martin Baturina, looking for physical strength in midfield while also having the quality to control the tempo of the game. Likewise, Marin Pongracic and Josip Šutalo will complete the defensive line. However, Ivan Perišić and Josip Stanišić will once again be key in exploiting the space behind Ghana’s defense, finding space and taking advantage of their goalscoring ability. Ghana could cause Croatia significant problems, as they combine a solid defensive style with a highly efficient attack. Head coach Carlos Queiroz builds his team from the back to the front, relying on a low defensive block in their first games in the 2026 World Cup. However, they excel on the counterattack, breaking quickly through Kamaldeen Sulemana and Antoine Semenyo. Alongside them, Jordan Ayew will be crucial in the goalscoring side. Petar Musa #26 of Croatia celebrates with teammates. Croatia confimed lineups vs Ghana As one of the most impressive national teams of the last few years, Croatia arrive as the favorites to defeat Ghana. To do so, head coach Zlatko Dalić is expected to maintain his attacking approach, with a crowded midfield led by Luka Modrić. However, defensive consistency will be crucial, as their opponents excel on the counterattack and could cause them significant problems. With this in mind, Croatia will lineup as follows: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanišić, Josip Šutalo, Marin Pongracic, Ivan Perisic; Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic; Nikola Vlasic, Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina; Petar Musa. Ghana confirmed lineups vs Croatia After surprising in their opening matches of the 2026 World Cup, Ghana will be looking for their second victory to secure qualification as the runners-up in Group L. To do so, they could repeat the same approach they used against England. However, their main challenge will be in attack, as being efficient on the counterattack will be vital if they are to score. With this in mind, Antoine Semenyo will need to shine in the attacking department. Considering this, Ghana will play as follows: Benjamin Asare; Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Derrick Luckassen, Gideon Mensah; Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Kwasi Sibo; Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo.
How to watch Croatia vs Ghana in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Croatia and Ghana will square off in Matchday 3 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Croatia vs Ghana on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Croatia vs Ghana WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 5:00pm ET / 2:00pm PT • Saturday, June 27, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FS1, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Croatia enters this final group stage match with a sense of urgency. After a disappointing loss to England, the veteran squad secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Panama, a result that kept their qualification hopes alive but exposed their struggles in the final third. Sitting on three points, Zlatko Dalić‘s side knows that anything less than a victory could send them home, placing immense pressure on their experienced core to deliver a decisive performance. Ghana, meanwhile, is in a much stronger position after a masterclass in defensive resilience earned them a goalless draw against England. With four points, the Black Stars control their own destiny and understand that a single point will guarantee their first trip to the knockout rounds since 2010. This clash in Philadelphia sets up a classic tactical battle: Croatia‘s desperate need for a win against Ghana‘s disciplined and determined defensive strategy. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The tournament trajectories of these two nations could not be more different. Croatia, a perennial contender, has looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, struggling to convert possession into clear-cut chances and relying on individual moments of quality. Their expected goals (xG) tally of just 1.18 across two games highlights an offense that is yet to find its rhythm. In contrast, Ghana has overperformed expectations by embracing a pragmatic, defense-first identity under manager Carlos Queiroz, effectively neutralizing a potent England attack. The tactical clash will be defined by Croatia‘s possession against Ghana‘s compact 4-5-1 low block. Expect Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić to dictate the tempo, patiently probing for openings against a Ghanaian side that is content to concede the ball and absorb pressure. Ghana’s game plan will revolve around frustrating Croatia and springing rapid counter-attacks, using the pace of their forwards to exploit any space left behind the Croatian defense. The match will be won or lost in Croatia’s ability to break down this disciplined defensive wall. Motivation is crystal clear for both teams. For Croatia, this is a must-win fixture; a loss means elimination, and a draw leaves their fate in the hands of others. This urgency will force them to take offensive risks. For Ghana, the objective is simple: avoid defeat. A draw mathematically secures their spot in the next round, meaning they have no incentive to open up and abandon the defensive shape that has been so successful for them thus far. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends This group stage finale marks the first-ever competitive meeting between Croatia and Ghana. With no historical data to draw upon from previous encounters, both teams will be stepping into uncharted territory, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to this high-stakes match. However, we can look at their respective records against continental opposition. Croatia has an excellent history against African teams at the tournament, remaining undefeated with a record of three wins and one draw. Their goal difference in those four matches is a dominant 8-1. Their most recent clash was a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the third-place match of the 2022 competition. Ghana‘s record against European nations is more balanced, with two wins, two draws, and four losses in eight matches. Their goalless draw against England on matchday two demonstrated their ability to compete with Europe’s elite. While past trends favor Croatia, Ghana’s recent defensive performances sug
How Croatia’s win, draw, or loss vs Ghana could impact the 2026 World Cup Group L standings
A single moment could alter the course of their World Cup journey forever, with a win, draw, or loss dictating whether Croatia marches on to glory, clings to the hope of third-place calculations, or suffers the sheer heartbreak of elimination. With their World Cup survival on the line, Croatia and Ghana are gearing up for a fiercely contested Group L finale. A single moment could alter the course of their World Cup journey forever, with a win, draw, or loss dictating whether Croatia marches on to glory, clings to the hope of third-place calculations, or suffers the sheer heartbreak of elimination. The match carries huge importance because England and Panama are also playing at the same time, meaning the final table could shift until the final whistle. Croatia has three points after beating Panama, while Ghana sits on four points after a victory and a draw, keeping both teams alive for different reasons. Croatia entered the tournament facing questions about whether its experienced core could still compete at the highest level. After suffering a 4-2 defeat against England in the opening match, the national team responded with a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama thanks to Ante Budimir’s second-half goal, keeping the qualification dream alive. The biggest advantage for Croatia remains its incredible tournament experience, led by captain Luka Modric. At 40 years old and with 200 international appearances, he continues to control matches through his vision, passing, and ability to slow down or accelerate the tempo whenever needed. The Checkered Ones’ midfield strength with Modric and Mateo Kovacic will be essential against Ghana’s energetic style. PositionTeamWDLGDPts1.England110+242.Ghana110+143.Croatia101-134.Panama002-20 Meanwhile, Ghana arrives with confidence after collecting four points from its first two matches. The Black Stars defeated Panama 1-0 before producing a disciplined defensive performance to hold England to a goalless draw. The African side has impressed with its organization, pressing, and ability to transition quickly from defense into attack. What happens if Croatia wins and Ghana loses? A Croatia victory would completely change the Group L picture. Three points would move Croatia to six points and guarantee a top-two finish, sending the national team directly into the Round of 32. If England fails to beat Panama, Croatia could even finish first in the group. However, if England wins, Croatia would likely secure second place while Ghana would drop down the table. Petar Musa #26 of Croatia celebrates with teammates. For Ghana, a defeat would not necessarily end the tournament. With four points already collected, the Black Stars would still have a strong chance of advancing through the best third-place ranking system. Croatia would rely on exactly the kind of match where experience matters most. A tense, high-pressure encounter could favor a side that has already reached the final stages of previous World Cups. What happens if Croatia draws vs Ghana? A draw would create a complicated situation for Croatia. The national team would finish the group stage with four points and likely remain in third place, meaning qualification would depend on the wider third-place rankings. The result would be much better news for Ghana. A draw would move the Black Stars to five points and guarantee automatic qualification to the knockout round. Ivan Perisic of Croatia Ghana would also keep the possibility of winning the group alive depending on what happens between England and Panama. A point would allow the team to continue its impressive tournament run without needing help from other groups. For Croatia, a draw would keep hope alive but remove control from its own hands. The national team would have to wait and see whether four points and its goal difference are enough to move forward. What happens if Ghana wins and Croatia loses? A defeat would put Croatia in the most dangerous position. The national team would remain on three poi
How to watch Panama vs Croatia in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
Panama and Croatia square off in Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup group stage. Here's all the information you need to watch this exciting clash live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Panama vs Croatia on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Panama vs Croatia WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT • Tuesday, June 23, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Panama enters its second group stage match seeking a historic result after a heartbreaking start to their campaign. Despite dominating possession and setting new national tournament records for passing against Ghana, they were undone by a 95th-minute goal in a 1-0 loss. Their performance was strong and organized, but a lack of clinical finishing proved costly, and now the urgency is immense to convert control into points on the board. Croatia is also in a must-win situation following a dramatic 4-2 defeat to England. After a spirited first half that saw them level the score at 2-2, Zlatko Dalić’s side experienced a significant physical drop-off and were overwhelmed after the break. With a -2 goal difference and qualification hopes on the line, the 2018 finalists cannot afford another slip-up and need a statement win to get their tournament back on track. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The opening matches revealed two teams on contrasting trajectories. Panama, despite the loss, showed impressive tactical discipline and control, suggesting a team performing above expectations. They proved they could dictate the tempo against a quality opponent, with their only failure being in the final third. Conversely, Croatia displayed both their clinical attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities. They scored twice from a low xG but conceded four, highlighting a fragility that was uncharacteristic of their previous tournament runs. This match presents a classic clash of styles. Panama will likely replicate their aggressive, high-tempo pressing game that forced numerous turnovers against Ghana. Their strategy relies on athleticism and organization to disrupt their opponent’s rhythm. Croatia, meanwhile, will lean on its technical superiority in the midfield, aiming to control possession and patiently unlock the Panamanian defense. The key battle will be whether Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić can withstand Panama’s pressure and establish dominance. With both teams sitting on zero points, the motivations are crystal clear. For Croatia, anything less than a victory would be a disaster and put their hopes of advancing in serious jeopardy. They need not only the three points but also a convincing performance to restore confidence. For Panama, this is another opportunity to make history. Securing their first-ever World Cup point—or even a win—against a world-class European side would be a monumental achievement for the nation. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends This will be the first-ever meeting between Panama and Croatia, adding an element of unpredictability to this crucial group stage encounter. With no prior history to draw from, both teams will be analyzing game tape from the opening round to identify weaknesses and opportunities. While they have not faced Panama, Croatia has a surprisingly poor record against CONCACAF nations at the global tournament, having won just once, drawn once, and lost four times in six matches. This history suggests that teams from this region have often posed a stylistic challenge for them. Panama has only played two matches against European opponents in its tournament history, losing both, including a heavy 6-1 defeat to England in 2018. Historically, Panama has struggled defensively on this stage, conceding 12 goals across their four previous tournament matches. Croatia’s defense was also uncharacteristically porous in their opener, conceding four goals against England. This was a stark contrast to their previous two
England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ In pictures: England v Croatia | All-time highest scorers⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email ScottThomas Tuchel speaks to Independent Television. “This is what we have worked for … the goal of the prep camp … to be ready for the day … I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world … so let’s go … ideal conditions … to play an intensive match … that’s our aim … we stick with the team that started so well against Costa Rica … we will not start and finish this match with 11 players … we need a strong bench … we have players who can influence and change matches from the bench … that is important … it was a 50-50 call to go with Jude [instead of Morgan Rogers] … I expected Mateo Kovacic to start so we have one slight tweak … we need to adapt our press … we are prepared for that … we are at the starting line … we let the players go and take the next steps.”… so Jude Bellingham does indeed get the nod at 10 over Morgan Rogers. Anthony Gordon has been selected ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left, while Noni Madueke patrols the other flank; Bukayo Saka, not 100 percent fit, remains wrapped up safely on the bench. Ezri Konsa starts alongside John Stones in the centre of defence. Continue reading...
How to watch England vs Croatia in USA: 2026 World Cup, Live Stream, TV & Preview
England and Croatia will square off in their opening FIFA World Cup group-stage contest. Here's all the information you need to watch the action live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch England vs Croatia on US television and via legal streaming: WHO England vs Croatia WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Wednesday, June 17, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview England enters the 2026 tournament with immense pressure and high expectations. Under manager Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions were flawless in their qualification campaign, winning all eight matches without conceding a single goal. This defensive solidity has become their trademark, but now they must prove they can translate that dominance onto the biggest stage against elite competition, starting with a formidable Croatian side. For Croatia, this opening match is a chance to make a powerful statement. As runners-up in 2018 and third-place finishers in 2022, they have consistently defied expectations at major tournaments. Led by the timeless Luka Modrić, Zlatko Dalić‘s squad possesses the experience and tactical discipline to challenge any opponent. This clash is widely seen as the decider for the top spot in Group L, adding a layer of urgency from the very first whistle. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This fixture presents a fascinating contrast in styles. England‘s journey under Tuchel has been one of controlled efficiency. While their defensive record is perfect, some critics have pointed to a lack of attacking ruthlessness, particularly in narrow wins over lower-ranked teams. They are built to dominate possession and methodically break down opponents, relying on a well-drilled system to nullify threats. Croatia, on the other hand, is a more adaptable and battle-hardened unit. They demonstrated their offensive firepower during qualifiers by scoring an average of 3.25 goals per game, yet they can also dig in defensively, as shown in their 0-0 draw with Czechia. The tactical battle will likely be won in midfield, where England‘s disciplined structure will attempt to contain the creative genius of Modrić and the tireless work rate of Mateo Kovačić. The motivation for both squads is crystal clear: winning this match provides a clear path to topping the group and securing a more favorable knockout-stage draw. For England, it’s about starting their campaign with a convincing victory to silence any doubters. For Croatia, it’s an opportunity to leverage their underdog status and tournament pedigree to seize control of the group from the outset. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, England has held the upper hand in this fixture. Across 11 meetings, the Three Lions have secured six wins to Croatia‘s three, with two matches ending in a draw. This record gives England a slight psychological edge heading into the encounter. However, recent history tells a more nuanced story. While England won the last meeting 1-0 at the European Championship in 2021, the most memorable recent clash was the 2018 World Cup semi-final. In that match, Croatia triumphed 2-1 after extra time, a result that still looms large. Over the last five encounters, England has won three, but Croatia‘s ability to perform in high-stakes moments cannot be ignored. Data from their recent major tournament meetings suggests a tight, low-scoring affair is likely. The 1-0 result in 2021 and the 1-1 scoreline after 90 minutes in 2018 both point toward a cagey match. Furthermore, Croatia was limited to just eight shots in their 2021 defeat, highlighting England‘s capacity to control the game and restrict opportunities. Squad News & Projected Lineups England arrives in North America with a fully fit squad, while Croatia is sweating on the fitness of a key defender. Manager Thomas Tuchel has his full complement of players available, having made some bold selections by leavi
Dalic admits Croatia’s World Cup opener against England ‘can destroy everything’
Croatia head coach says England game crucial to hopesKovacic, Gvardiol and Modric lacking match sharpnessZlatko Dalic sees Croatia’s World Cup opener against England as pivotal to their summer fortunes, admitting a softer first match may have been preferable for a team struggling with form and fitness issues.Croatia beat Slovenia 2-1 in their final friendly before flying to the US but Dalic is likely to face selection issues when they face England on 17 June. The Manchester City pair of Mateo Kovacic and Josip Gvardiol are both coming back from injury adding to the sense that Dalic’s side, who finished third in 2022 and runners-up four years earlier, risk starting their tournament on the back foot. Continue reading...