UEFA Nations League, League A 3CroatiaCRO 3/10/2026 17:00 EnglandENG Venue Stadion Rujevica Referee Sven JablonskiPreview for Croatia v EnglandEngland will look to make it back-to-back UEFA Nations League wins when they travel to Rijeka to face Croatia on Saturday evening. The two nations meet less than four months after England beat Croatia 4-2 during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.England responded to their opening Nations League defeat against Spain by claiming a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in Prague on Tuesday.The result also extended Englands winning run away from home in the Nations League to four matches and ended a run of six games without a clean sheet.Tuchel has now won 18 of his 24 matches as England manager, with two draws and four defeats since taking charge in January 2025.The German described Tuesdays display as very professional after England negotiated what he considered an awkward assignment in Prague.Croatia began their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 win away against the Czech Republic before suffering a heavy defeat against Spain.Dion Beljo cancelled out Lamine Yamals early opener, but Marc Pubill restored Spains advantage just three minutes later before two more goals after the break completed a 4-1 win.It was Croatias first defeat since Slaven Bilic returned as head coach, and the former West Ham boss was critical of his teams performance afterwards, highlighting a lack of aggression and defensive mistakes.The UEFA Nations League Table UEFA Nations League 2026 World League A Group C #TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostGFGAGDPtsLast 2 1 Spain22007346 W W 2 England21014313 W L 3 Croatia210135-23 L W 4 Czechia200214-30 L L Position 1, 2 : Play Offs: Quarter-finals Position 3 : Relegation Playoffs Position 4 : Relegation Team News for Croatia v EnglandEngland will be without Nico OReilly after the Manchester City defender withdrew from the squad through injury, meaning Lewis Hall is expected to continue at left-back.Ezri Konsa was an unused substitute against the Czech Republic and could return to the starting XI, although Trevoh Chalobah will hope to retain his place alongside Marc Guehi.There will be a change in goal, with Tuchel confirming that Jordan Pickford will start Englands next two matches after James Trafford was selected for the opening two Nations League fixtures.Jude Bellingham is also pushing for a return to the starting XI, while Alex Scott and James Garner are among the options available to Tuchel in midfield.Croatia have also had defensive injury problems, with Josip Juranovic among those unavailable.Luka Vuskovic could be brought into the back line alongside Josko Gvardiol, with Marin Pongracic potentially making way.Luka Modric is another contender to return to the starting XI after the 41-year-old was rested against Spain, while Martin Baturina could be used either in midfield or further forward.Expected line-ups for Croatia v EnglandCroatia: Livakovic; Smolcic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Perisic; Modric, Kovacic, P. Sucic; Baturina, Beljo, Marco Pasalic.England: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Garner; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. Official lineups are not available yet. They are usually announced 2040 minutes before kickoff, depending on the competition.Recent Form & Stats for Croatia v EnglandEngland have won 18 of their 24 matches under Thomas Tuchel.The Three Lions have won their last four Nations League away matches.England ended a six-game run without a clean sheet by beating the Czech Republic 2-0.England have won three of their last five meetings with Croatia, drawing one and losing one.Croatia have conceded in 11 of their last 12 international matches.Croatia have lost their last six games against teams ranked inside FIFAs top 10.Croatia are unbeaten in their last nine competitive home matches, winning eight.England beat Croatia 4-2 when the teams met at the 2026 World Cup. Recent Results : Croatia UEFA Nations League Spain ESP L 4 1 2026-09-29 Croatia CRO UEFA Nations League Czechia CZE W 1 2 2026-09-26 Croatia CRO World Cup Portugal POR L 2 1 2026-07-03 Croatia CRO World Cup Croatia CRO W 2 1 2026-06-27 Ghana GHA World Cup Panama PAN W 0 1 2026-06-24 Croatia CRO Recent Results : England UEFA Nations League Czechia CZE W 0 2 2026-09-29 England ENG UEFA Nations League England ENG L 2 3 2026-09-26 Spain ESP World Cup England ENG L 1 2 2026-07-15 Argentina ARG World Cup Mexico MEX W 2 3 2026-07-06 England ENG World Cup England ENG W 2 1 2026-07-01 Congo DR CGO Where to Watch Croatia v England: TV and online streamsCroatia v England kicks off at 5:00pm BST on Saturday, October 3. The match will be shown live in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4:15pm. Supporters can also stream the game live for free on ITVX. STV and the STV Player will provide coverage in Scotland.Prediction for Croatia v EnglandEngland looked much more assured in their win over the Czech Republic, but Croatia should provide a tougher test on home soil.Bilics side have been difficult to beat in competitive matches at home, although their defensive record and recent struggles against highly-ranked opposition could leave opportunities for England. Match PredictionCroatia 1 2 England Topics Croatia National Football Team England National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Ivan Toney pleads not guilty to alleged nightclub assault in London Mitch Fretton 1st October, 2026 Tuchel opens door for Bellingham to play as a nine for England but says it will be impossible to replace Kane Cian Cheesbrough 30th September, 2026 Gordon showing he belongs as Tuchel hails Alexander-Arnold and excellent Hall Nicholas McGee 29th September, 2026 Lamine Yamal makes Ballon dOr claim after starring for Spain against Croatia Mitch Fretton 29th September, 2026 Spain 4-1 Croatia: Report, result and goals as Yamal steals the show in dominant win Mitch Fretton 29th September, 2026 Czechia 0-2 England: Gordon and Kane get Three Lions off the mark in Nations League Nicholas McGee 30th September, 2026
