England's win in Prague put them back on their feet after defeat to Spain. Now comes Croatia in Rijeka: another side on three points, hurting from a heavy loss of their own, and a ground that will be unusually quiet. Can Thomas Tuchel's side back up Tuesday's result?
Two sides looking for momentum
England opened their Nations League campaign with a 3-2 home loss to Spain, then beat Czechia 2-0 away. Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon have scored in both matches. Gordon struck again in Prague before Kane made the points safe, giving England a sharper platform for this trip.
Croatia followed a 2-1 win in Czechia with a 4-1 defeat in Spain. That leaves Slaven Bilić's side level with England on three points in Group A3. Spain have won both of their games, so neither side can afford to treat this as a gentle stop between fixtures.
England beat Croatia 4-2 when they met at the World Cup in June, but that result does not settle Saturday's contest. Bilić has spoken about the need for his players to stick together against strong opposition. Tuchel, for his part, has warned England to keep their focus and expects a demanding game against a proud football nation.
Why will Rijeka sound different?
The match is being played behind closed doors as part of a UEFA sanction on Croatia. It will not be completely empty: local children and a small number of England supporters are allowed in. But it will feel nothing like a normal international night.
Tuchel has said the quieter setting must not make the game feel like pre-season. That is the point for England supporters: after the lift of the Prague win, this is a test of whether the same purpose carries through when the usual crowd noise is missing.
When is Croatia v England?
Saturday 3 October, 5pm BST
Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka
UEFA Nations League, Group A3
Watch whether Kane and Gordon can keep finding the net, and how Croatia respond after conceding four in Spain. The result will shape the group before England return home to face Czechia on Tuesday.
Follow the fixture in the LiveFootballNow Nations League centre. Match details and recent results are confirmed by UEFA; England Football and the Croatian federation reported the coaches' pre-match comments.
