England – Croatia: Fluid England Overcome Improved Croatia (2-1)

Croatia showed improved stability here with and without the ball compared with the last meeting between these teams. England’s fluidity and rotations still posed an issue though, and Harry Kane was eventually able to celebrate his record breaking 126th England cap with the winning goal.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

The last international break saw England thrash a lethargic Croatia in a game where Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated with their high press and an evolution of the possession shape seen from them in the summer. 

England lined up in a nominal 4-3-3 shape here with a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn, and Lewis Hall. Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham formed England’s midfield trio. In attack, Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon flanked Harry Kane who celebrated a record 126th England cap.

For Croatia it was a 5-3-1-1 system with Ivan Smolčić, Josip Stanišić, Luka Vušković, Joško Gvardiol, and Nikola Vlašić in the backline. Petar Sučić and Josip Mišić joined Mateo Kovačić in central midfield while Martin Baturina played behind striker Igor Matanović.

An improved Croatia

The away side were determined to avoid a repeat of the humiliation they received last month at the hands of England, and they were able to make a better start to the match this time around.

Croatia put together some stable possession phases early on, where their 5-3-1-1 shape often turned into a 3-4-3 structure. Mišić and Kovačić remained as . . .