England–Croatia football rivalry
 Unveiling the flags of Croatia and England moments before the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final kickoff, that Croatia won | |
| Locale | Europe (UEFA) |
|---|---|
| Teams |  England Croatia |
| First meeting | 24 April 1996 Friendly England 0–0 Croatia |
| Latest meeting | 18 November 2018 2018–19 UEFA Nations League England 2–1 Croatia |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 10 |
| Most wins | England (5 wins) |
| Largest victory | England 5–1 Croatia (9 September 2009) |
| Largest goal scoring | Croatia 2–4 England (21 June 2004) England 5–1 Croatia (9 September 2009) |
The England–Croatia football rivalry is a sports rivalry between national teams of England and Croatia. It's the youngest rivalry of both countries – younger than England's rivalry with Scotland, Germany and Argentina, and Croatia's rivalry with Serbia and Italy. The rivalry was at its peak in the second half of 2000s and was revived again in 2018.[1][2][3]
The two teams encountered each other in ten official matches, five of which were won by England and three by Croatia.[4] The first match played was a friendly in 1996. Notable matches between the two include the decisive group stage match at UEFA Euro 2004[1], the semi-final of 2018 FIFA World Cup[5][6] and the decisive group stage match in the League A of 2018–19 UEFA Nations League.[7][8]
As of 2018, England has won one World Cup, in 1966 and Croatia has won silver and bronze in 2018 and 1998, respectively. None of the two ever reached a UEFA Euro final. They have played with each other at two major tournaments – UEFA Euro 2004 and 2018 FIFA World Cup.
History[edit]
Early encounters[edit]
The first two encounters between the nations were friendly matches, on 24 April 1996 and 20 August 2003, respectively. The former ended as a goalless draw and the latter ended in 3–1 English victory, after goals by David Beckham, Michael Owen, Ivica Mornar and Frank Lampard.[1]
The first competitive match between the two occured in the group stage of UEFA Euro 2004. It was the game that sparked the rivalry into life. The winner of the match was going to be secured of a place in the quarter-final. Croatia took an early lead after Niko Kovač scored in 5th minute but England came from behind with Paul Scholes' goal and Wayne Rooney's brace. Igor Tudor gave Croatia hope by scoring in 73rd minute but in vain since Lampard scored England's fourth six minutes later.[9][1]
Peak of the rivalry[edit]
Croatia and England were drawn in the same group for UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying. Croatia won the home fixture on 11 October 2006 at the Maksimir Stadium by 2–0 score after Eduardo's goal and Gary Neville's own goal.[10]
Croatia secured qualification to the tournament on 17 November 2007 following Israel's 2–1 win against Russia,[11] becoming the seventh team in the whole of the qualification stage to do so. England needed at least a draw in their home fixture against Croatia in order to qualify.[11] The match was played on 21 November at the newly built Wembley Stadium. Having secured the qualification four days earlier, Croatia had nothing to lose. Croatia took the lead in the first fourteen minutes after goals by Niko Kranjčar and Ivica Olić, and England came from behind in the second half after goals by Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch. 2–2 draw meant England qualified for the tournament, but Mladen Petrić, who had been subbed on eight minutes earlier, scored Croatia's third in 77th minute. The defeat was England's first defeat at the Wembley Stadium and it eliminated them from their first major tournament since 1994 World Cup.[12] Croatia went on to top their group at the Euros and lose to Turkey on penalties in the quarter-finals.[13][14]
Croatia and England were drawn in the same group again for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. England won the away fixture on 10 September 2008 at the Maksimir Stadium by 4–1 score, after Theo Walcott's hat-trick and goals by Wayne Rooney and Mario Mandžukić. That was the first time in 14 years that Croatia lost a qualifying match at home, ending a 35 matches streak.[15][16] England also won the home fixture on 9 September 2009 by 5–1 score, after braces by Lampard and Steven Gerrard and goals by Rooney and Eduardo. The defeat secured England's place at the tournament and was Croatia's biggest defeat until then.[17][18] In order for Croatia to qualify, England had to beat Ukraine away, which they didn't, and, as a result, Croatia failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup for the first time since their debut in 1998.[19][20] England went on to crash out of the tournament in the Round of 16 following 4–1 defeat to Germany.[21]
Recent fixtures[edit]
After nine years, Croatia and England met again in the semi-final of 2018 FIFA World Cup.[22] Croatia topped their group of Nigeria,[23] Argentina[24] and Iceland[25] and won their knockout matches against Denmark[26] and Russia[27] both on penalties. England finished second in their group after victories over Tunisia[28] and Panama[29] and defeat to Belgium,[30] and beat Colombia on penalties[31] and Sweden[32] in the knockout stage. England took an early lead following Kieran Trippier's free kick goal in 5th minute. Croatia came from behind following Ivan Perišić's goal in 68th minute. The match went into extra time when Perišić passed the ball to Mario Mandžukić in 109th minute who scored and sent Croatia to their first ever final.[5][6] England went on to lose the third place match to Belgium, who secured their first ever World Cup medal,[33][34] and Croatia went on to lose the final to France.[35][36]
Croatia and England were drawn in the same group again for the inaugural edition of UEFA Nations League, together with Spain.[37][38] The first match between the two teams was played on 12 October 2018 at the Rujevica Stadium behind closed doors and ended as a goalless draw.[39][40] They met again in the final match of the group on 18 November at the Wembley Stadium. That match was the decisive one, as the winner was promoted to the finals and the loser was relegated to League B of the next edition. In case of a draw, Spain would've been promoted – if the draw had been goalless, England would've been relegated and, if it had not, Croatia would've been relegated.[2][41] In 57th minute, Croatia took the lead following Andrej Kramarić's goal but Jesse Lingard equalized 21 minutes later. England then started pressing harder as a 1–1 draw would've seen them relegated, resulting in Harry Kane's goal in 85th minute. The defeat resulted in Croatia's relegation.[7][8] England went on to lose the semi-final to the Netherlands[42] and win the third place match against Switzerland on penalties.[43]
However, due to the format change on 24 September 2019, the League A was expanded from 12 teams to 16, meaning Croatia would not be relegated after all.[44]
Comparison of England and Croatia in major international tournaments[edit]
| Tournament | England
|
Croatia
|
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 World Cup | Did not participate | Part of Yugoslavia
|
||
| 1934 World Cup | ||||
| 1938 World Cup | ||||
| 1950 World Cup | 5–13 | |||
| 1954 World Cup | 5–8 | |||
| 1958 World Cup | 9–16 | |||
| 1960 Euros | Did not participate | |||
| 1962 World Cup | 5–8 | |||
| 1964 Euros | Failed to qualify | |||
| 1966 World Cup | 1 | |||
| 1968 Euros | 3 | |||
| 1970 World Cup | 5–8 | |||
| 1972 Euros | Failed to qualify (5–8) | |||
| 1974 World Cup | Failed to qualify | |||
| 1976 Euros | ||||
| 1978 World Cup | ||||
| 1980 Euros | 5–8 | |||
| 1982 World Cup | 5–12 | |||
| 1984 Euros | Failed to qualify | |||
| 1986 World Cup | 5–8 | |||
| 1988 Euros | 5–8 | |||
| 1990 World Cup | 4 | |||
| 1992 Euros | 5–8 | Did not participate | Croatia and Yugoslavia national teams were banned from participating in sport tournaments during Yugoslav Wars as part of a United Nations sanction. | |
| 1994 World Cup | Failed to qualify | |||
| 1996 Euros | 3–4 | 5–8 | Croatia's first major tournament | |
| 1998 World Cup | 9–16 | 3 | Croatia's World Cup debut | |
| 2000 Euros | 9–16 | Failed to qualify | Croatia's first time failing to qualify for a major tournament | |
| 2002 World Cup | 5–8 | 17–32 | ||
| 2004 Euros | 5–8 | 9–16 | England defeated Croatia 4–2 in the group stage. | |
| 2006 World Cup | 5–8 | 17–32 | ||
| 2008 Euros | Failed to qualify | 5–8 | Croatia defeated England 2–0 at home and 3–2 away. The latter fixture prevented England from qualifying. | |
| 2010 World Cup | 9–16 | Failed to qualify | England defeated Croatia 4–1 away and 5–1 at home in qualifiers. | |
| 2012 Euros | 5–8 | 9–16 | ||
| 2014 World Cup | 17–32 | 17–32 | Croatia finished third in their group, while England finished last in theirs. | |
| 2016 Euros | 9–16 | 9–16 | England famously lost in the Round of 16 to Iceland. Although they lost in the same round as Croatia by the same goal margin, England conceded more goals. | |
| 2018 World Cup | 4 | 2 | Croatia defeated England in the semi-final after extra time. | |
List of matches[edit]
Overview:
| Type | Matches | England win |
Draw | Croatia win
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euros* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| World Cup* | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Nations League | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| All Competitive | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Friendly | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
* Euro and World Cup matchups include qualifiers.
- Key
- ^ – FIFA World Cup competition match
-
– FIFA World Cup qualifier -
– UEFA European Football Championship competition match - * – UEFA European Football Championship qualifier
| Date | Venue | Result | Competition | Location | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 April 1996 | Wembley Stadium, London | Friendly | |
Draw | |
| 20 August 2003 | Portman Road, Ipswich |
| |||
| 21 June 2004 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon | UEFA Euro 2004 |  |
| |
| 11 October 2006 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
| ||
| 21 November 2007 | Wembley Stadium, London | |
| ||
| 10 September 2008 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| |
| 9 September 2009 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| |||
| 11 July 2018 | Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow | 2018 FIFA World Cup |  |
| |
| 12 October 2018 | Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A | |
Draw | |
| 18 November 2018 | Wembley Stadium, London |
| |||
Media[edit]
English media played an important role in igniting the rivalry between the two teams, and they were often called out for their cockiness and arrogance. After beating England in 2007, Croatia coach Slaven Bilić said:
I read in the papers not one Croatian player would get in the England team. I strongly advise you to wake up.[45]
On the same occasion, Croatia defender Vedran Ćorluka said:
England got just what they deserved because they were unbelievably arrogant. I don't know what Croatia have done to deserve being treated like this by the England players. I cannot believe they didn't recognise our ability.[45]
After beating England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final, Croatia captain Luka Modrić told ITV:
People were talking… English journalists, pundits from television. They underestimated Croatia tonight and that was a huge mistake. All these words from them we take, we were reading and we were saying: ‘OK, today we will see who will be tired.’ They should be more humble and respect their opponents more.[46]
Croatian players cited British media hype around their semi-final with England as an impetus for the victory, with Ćorluka telling British journalists “It’s not coming home” after winning the match, referring to a popular chant for England fans.[47] However, ahead of their second Nations League group stage fixture in 2018, England accused Croatia of cockiness, resulting in England coach Gareth Southgate's advice to his players to "leave their talking to the pitch".[48]
See also[edit]
- Argentina–England football rivalry
- England–Scotland football rivalry
- England–Germany football rivalry
- English football club rivalries
- Croatia–Serbia football rivalry
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cutmore, Chris (11 July 2018). "England v Croatia: The highs and lows of a hair-raising rivalry, from Wayne Rooney taking Europe by storm to Paul Robinson's horror show... and the Wally with a Brolly". Daily Mail. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dillon, John (17 November 2018). "England and Croatia resume 21st Century rivalry as winner takes all at Wembley". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "Gareth Southgate: We now have a FIERCE rivalry with Croatia". 101greatgoals.com. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "England national football team: record v Croatia". 11v11.com. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Croatia - England". FIFA. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Johnson, Simon (11 July 2018). "England 1 Croatia 2: World Cup semi-final heartbreak for England as Mario Mandzukic scores extra-time winner". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "England-Croatia // UEFA Nations League". UEFA. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 McNulty, Phil (18 November 2018). "England 2-1 Croatia: Harry Kane seals Nations League finals spot". BBC. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "Rooney England's hero again". The Guardian. 21 June 2004. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ McCarra, Kevin (12 October 2006). "McClaren's shapeless England fall to pieces". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "England gifted lifeline by Israel". BBC. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "England 2-3 Croatia". BBC. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (20 June 2008). "Croatia 1-1 Turkey (1-3 pens)". BBC. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Ames, Nick (11 June 2016). "Croatia still haunted by Euro 2008 heartache against Turkey". ESPN. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Stevenson, Jonathan (10 September 2008). "Croatia 1-4 England". BBC. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "Croatia reacts to England's World Cup thrashing by hailing 'Fabio the Great'". The Telegraph. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ McNulty, Phil (9 September 2009). "England 5-1 Croatia". BBC. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Winter, Henry (9 September 2009). "England 5 Croatia 1: match report". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "World Cup 2010: Ukraine confirm play-off place with rout of Andorra as Croatia miss out". The Telegraph. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "Hrvatska neće vidjeti Svjetsko prvenstvo u JAR-u". dnevno.hr. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ McCarra, Kevin (27 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: Germany tear down England's defence". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "World Cup 2018: Croatia will be ready for England semi-final - Zlatko Dalic". BBC. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Croatia - Nigeria". FIFA. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Argentina - Croatia". FIFA. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Iceland - Croatia". FIFA. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Croatia - Denmark". FIFA. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Russia - Croatia". FIFA. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Tunisia - England". FIFA. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - England - Panama". FIFA. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - England - Belgium". FIFA. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Colombia - England". FIFA. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Sweden - England". FIFA. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Belgium - England". FIFA. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Wallace, Sam (15 July 2018). "Belgium outclass England in third-place play-off to clinch best-ever World Cup finish". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - France - Croatia". FIFA. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Taylor, Daniel (15 July 2018). "France seal second World Cup triumph with 4-2 win over brave Croatia". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "Group stage draw". UEFA.com. 24 January 2018.
- ↑ "UEFA Nations League 2018/19 League Phase draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- ↑ Burt, Jason (12 October 2018). "England fail to exact World Cup revenge over Croatia as Marcus Rashford misses chances in empty stadium". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Beck, Garford (12 October 2018). "The England fans in Croatia trying to watch game behind closed doors". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Ruthven, Graham (15 November 2018). "Football news - Croatia beat Spain in remarkable match to set up winner-takes-all Wembley finale". Eurosport. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "Netherlands-England // UEFA Nations League". UEFA. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "England beat Switzerland on penalties in Nations League match for third place". UEFA. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "UEFA Nations League: Croatia remains in elite group after format change". croatiaweek.com. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 "England 2 Croatia 3: Nov 21, 2007...the date that still haunts English football". Daily Mail. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Aarons, Ed (11 July 2018). "Croatia motivated by English pundits' lack of respect, says Luka Modric". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ Waterson, Jim (17 July 2018). "'It's not coming home': England's anthem returns to haunt them". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ↑ "COCKY CROATS England vs Croatia: Gareth Southagte warns opponents of talking too much ahead of Nations League game at Wembley". talkSPORT. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
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