The Euro 2020 Group D opener pits England (ENG) and Croatia (CRO) in what promises to be an exciting clash. Croatia had pipped England in Russia in 2018, but Gareth Southgate’s men avenged the World Cup defeat with a 2-1 win in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League group stage clash at Wembley Stadium.
Playmaker Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic will be hoping to find holes in an England backline, which will be without Harry Maguire for the first two group stage matches at least. A clinical performance from Harry Kane-led attacking unit could help the Three Lions make a winning start.
Recent Form (last five matches)
ENG: W (1-0 vs Romania), W (1-0 vs Austria), W (2-1 vs Poland), W (0-2 vs Albania), W (5-0 vs San Marino)
CRO: L (1-0 vs Belgium), D (1-1 vs Armenia), W (3-0 vs Malta), W (1-0 vs Cyprus), L (vs 1-0 Slovenia)
Head-to-Head
Played: 10
ENG won: 5
CRO won: 3
Drawn: 2
Stats & Facts
- H Kane (FOR) has scored a goal and grabbed an assist in the last meeting England and Croatia
- M Mount (MID) has two goals from his last three appearances for England
- I Perisic (FOR) netted two goals and an assist in his last three matches for Croatia
- L Modric (MID) scored the opening goal for Croatia in the Euro 2016
- Croatia’s M Kovacic (MID) was part of the Chelsea squad which won the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League title
Injuries/Suspensions
ENG: H Maguire (injured)
CRO: D Lovren (doubtful)
Playing 11
ENG (possible): J Pickford; K Walker, J Stones, T Mings, B Chilwell; K Phillips, D Rice; R Sterling, M Mount, J Grealish; H Kane
CRO (possible): D Livakovic; S Vrsaljko, D Vida, D Caleta-Car, B Barisic; M Brozovic, M Kovacic; L Modric, A Rebic, I Perisic; B Petkovic
Play the Europe’s biggest football competition on Paytm First Games
Parameswaran Sankaranarayanan
Parameswaran Sankaranarayan is a sports enthusiast who has worked in print, website, and other digital platforms. He was part of the editorial team of first-ever Indian football-based website - IndianFootball.com (now defunct) - and passionately follows the latest happenings in world football. During his time as a journalist, he had the opportunity to interact with some of the iconic personalities in Indian sports and witness some memorable moments in Indian football.
Read All Articles >
