There are no winners in the UEFA Nations League match between Croatia vs. England. Both teams played a goalless draw 0-0. The match was held at the Rijeka HNK Stadium on Saturday (10/13/2018), without spectators. Following sanctions against Croatia for an incident two years ago.
Playing Group A League 4 matches, England is more dominant but Croatia plays efficiently. ESPN’s statistics show that England have the advantage of possession with a ratio of 54-46, but Croatia are more threatening after releasing nine shots three of which point towards the goal. Whereas England was only able to give birth to five experiments, two of which were directed towards the goal.
With this result, England ranked second in the standings with one point from two matches. Croatia in third place after collecting similar numbers.
The Way of the Match
England first took the initiative to attack. Ben Chilwell and Kyle Walker came forward to help with the attack, but there was no significant opportunity produced by England. The new Croatia ‘lives’ before 20 minutes of the match. The cooperation between Domagoj Vidal and Ante Rebic resulted in a corner kick. However, Ivan Rakitic’s kick was blocked.
Jordan Pickford rushed out of his nest to do an important interception. Pickford swept the ball which allowed Rebic to be released after receiving Ivan Perisic’s long ball. Pickford resumed his rescue to drive Andrej Kramaric’s shot. Previously, the failure of Marcus Rashford to maximize Harry Kane’s pass.
Ahead of the break, England almost scored the opening goal from a corner. Eric Dier welcomed the ball with a header that hit the far post, before the ball could be secured.
Four minutes early in the second half, England again threatened Croatia. Jordan Henderson’s free kick was headed by Kane, but the ball hit the Croatian crossbar and secured the Perisic.
England claimed a penalty after Ross Barkley was denied by Rebic, but the referee ignored it. Walker’s operation to Rashford places one on one situation, but the last named player fails to complete.
Substitute Marko Pjaca almost made an instant impact through a narrow curved kick. Furthermore, Kane scored a Henderson pass was disallowed because the striker first stood in an offside position.
Tempo matches decrease before the normal time ends. No goals were created until the match broke up. Final score 0-0.
