With this summer’s European Championships now just a few weeks away, excitement is starting to build ahead of the 24-team tournament. The year-long delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic has meant that now there is a huge appetite for a high-quality international tournament, and this summer’s Euros looks incredibly difficult to predict, with a number of teams capable of going all the way.
England are one of those teams, but a good start in their opening match against Croatia will be vital if Gareth Southgate’s side are to entertain any hopes of lifting the trophy at Wembley on July 11th. With fans and punters eagerly examining the England vs Croatia betting odds in a bid to figure out which way things will go, we’ve put together this whistle-stop tour down memory lane, for England’s last five matches against Croatia.
September 2008: Croatia 1-4 England
There was a competitive context to England’s matches against Croatia in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Croatia had defeated England twice in Euro 2008 qualification, ensuring that Steve McLaren’s side did not make it through to the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
However, with newfound belief under Fabio Capello, England thrashed their bitter foes in Zagreb, with a memorable hat-trick from Theo Walcott and a cool finish by Wayne Rooney.
September 2009: England 5-1 Croatia
England earned an even bigger win over Croatia at Wembley a year later. With qualification for the World Cup virtually assured, they played with freedom and produced a stunning display. Goals from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Rooney were enough to earn a fine win, and England fans were beginning to believe that glory could await the team in South Africa.
Of course, things didn’t quite go as planned, but the wins over Croatia in qualifying at least helped everyone heal from the heartache of missing out on Euro 2008.
July 2018: Croatia 2-1 England
Nine years would pass before the two teams met again in a competitive fixture, but they don’t get much bigger than the World Cup semi-final. Both teams had upset the odds somewhat by getting so far in Russia, and it was set to be a thrilling encounter to decide who faced France in the final.
England enjoyed the perfect start, taking the lead through Kieran Trippier’s free-kick, but there was always a feeling that Gareth Southgate’s side had scored too early. Ivan Perišić equalised midway through the second half, and from there it was anyone’s game. The critical moment came in extra time, when Mario Mandžukić nicked the winner.
October 2018: Croatia 0-0 England
There wasn’t too long a wait for the two sides to renew their rivalry, as the UEFA Nations League pitted them against each other. There was certainly a marked contrast between this match and the World Cup semi-final, as the game was played behind closed doors — in a time where empty stadiums were not the norm.
Unfortunately, the game lacked any real degree of drama, with the strange surroundings stifling both teams. England should probably have won the game, but Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford both missed chances, meaning the match finished goalless.
November 2019: England 2-1 Croatia
A year later, England got their revenge for the World Cup defeat. Despite going behind in the second half following Andrej Kramaric’s strike, England rallied and produced some late drama. Jesse Lingard equalised with 12 minutes to go, before captain and talisman Harry Kane popped up with the winner to send the Wembley crowd into pandemonium.
There’s a hugely competitive history of matches between the two teams, and England will be desperate come out on top on June 13th and get their European Championship campaign off to the best possible start.
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