England 2-1 Croatia: Report, result and goals Kane marks record-breaking appearance with winner as Three Lions reach Nations League quarter-finals

UEFA Nations League,
League A – 5

England
ENG

2
–

1

Full Time

Croatia
CRO

Wembley Stadium

Morten Krogh

Morgan Rogers 24′
Harry Kane 64′ (Pen)

Petar Sučić 59′

Harry Kane marked his record-breaking 126th England appearance with the winning goal as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley to secure their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Morgan Rogers opened the scoring midway through the first half before Petar Sucic capitalised on a mistake from Jarell Quansah to equalise shortly before the hour.

However, Kane restored England’s advantage from the penalty spot just five minutes later, scoring his 92nd international goal to ensure the Three Lions made it four consecutive wins in Group A3.

The result sets up a meeting with world champions Spain in Madrid on Sunday, with top spot in the group still to be decided.

Rogers puts England ahead on Kane’s historic night

The evening began with a presentation to Kane, who surpassed Peter Shilton to become England’s most-capped player.

The former goalkeeper, Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and Prince William were among those involved in recognising the captain’s achievement before kick-off.

Croatia made the more confident start, enjoying possession in England’s half and forcing Jordan Pickford into some early defensive work.

Elliot Anderson registered England’s first attempt in the 16th minute, striking from distance but failing to keep his effort down.

Trent Alexander-Arnold then went close after Jude Bellingham’s cross was partially cleared, although Josip Misic produced an important block.

England’s pressure eventually paid off in the 24th minute when Rogers broke the deadlock.

Kane started the move with an excellent diagonal pass into the penalty area, picking out Bellingham at the far post.

The Real Madrid midfielder helped the ball back across the six-yard box, where Josko Gvardiol failed to clear.

Rogers reacted quickest, sending a right-footed volley into the ground that squirmed beyond Dominik Livakovic and into the net.

The hosts continued to threaten, with Dan Burn causing problems from set-pieces and Anthony Gordon providing an attacking outlet down the left.

Bellingham almost created another opportunity when he exchanged passes with Rogers on the counter-attack, but Josip Stanisic recovered to block his path.

Croatia responded through Mateo Kovacic, whose long-range effort was comfortably gathered by Pickford.

Kane penalty settles contest after Quansah mistake

England started the second half brightly and almost doubled their advantage in the 51st minute.

Declan Rice made an excellent run into the penalty area before squaring the ball towards Kane, who appeared certain to score.

However, Stanisic produced a brilliant last-ditch block to deny the England captain from close range.

Gordon then appealed for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Misic, but the referee allowed play to continue.

The winger subsequently fired wide as England continued to search for a second goal.

However, Croatia drew level in the 59th minute.

A corner caused problems inside England’s penalty area, with Quansah attempting to head the loose ball back towards Pickford.

The defender failed to notice Sucic arriving behind him, allowing the Croatian midfielder to hook the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

It was England’s first goal conceded since their defeat to Spain on the opening matchday of the Nations League campaign.

Tuchel’s side responded immediately and were awarded a penalty just four minutes later.

Quansah went forward for a corner and was dragged to the ground by Ivan Smolcic, prompting a VAR review.

After examining the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee Morten Krogh pointed to the spot and booked the Croatia defender.

Kane stepped up in the 64th minute and calmly chipped his penalty down the centre of the goal as Livakovic dived to his left.

The strike restored England’s lead and took Kane to 92 international goals, drawing him level with Robert Lewandowski on the all-time international scoring list.

The UEFA Nations League Table

Croatia continued to search for an equaliser and almost found one in the 82nd minute.

Modric drove forward before releasing Nikola Vlasic, who shifted the ball away from Burn and curled an effort narrowly wide of the near post.

England thought they had added a third goal four minutes later when Garner finished from close range following Bellingham’s pass.

However, the midfielder’s celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee raised his flag for offside against Bellingham.

Croatia threatened again in the closing stages, but Quansah produced an important sliding challenge to deny Budimir before Burn cleared the danger from the resulting corner.

Luka Vuskovic headed over in stoppage time as the visitors made one final attempt to rescue a point.

Upcoming fixtures for England and Croatia

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