England Defeated Croatia in Nations League Match
England secured a win against Croatia during the third round of League A fixtures at Rujevica Stadium.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Soccer
England earned a victory over Croatia in their third round of Group Three fixtures in League A of the UEFA Nations League. The match took place at Rujevica Stadium in Rijeka.
Why it matters
Both teams entered the competition tied with three points each following earlier matches against Spain. This result shifts the standings in Group Three as the tournament progresses.
Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 8th minute, followed by a goal from Jude Bellingham in the 21st minute. Both teams entered the match with 3 points from two prior rounds of competition.
The players
Harry Kane
He is an English professional footballer who serves as a striker and captain for the national team.
Jude Bellingham
He is an English professional midfielder who plays at the top level of international and club football.
Marc Guehi
He is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for the England national team.
Josko Gvardiol
He is a professional defender representing the Croatia national football team.
Anthony Gordon
He is an English professional footballer known for his role as an attacking player.
The details
Marc Guehi initiated the first goal after intercepting a pass from Josko Gvardiol, while Anthony Gordon provided the assist for the second goal. Dominik Livakovic faced pressure early, attempting to save a goal effort as early as the third minute.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: The match took place at Rujevica Stadium.
June 2026: England previously defeated Croatia 4-2 in a separate match.
Season Trajectory
This victory significantly alters the Group Three standings, impacting the qualification path for the later stages of the tournament. The result differentiates England from Croatia after both squads struggled in their respective matches against Spain.
England secures three additional points in the group table, effectively breaking their tie with Croatia. This result forces Croatia to seek points in future matches to maintain eligibility for advancement out of Group Three.
The takeaway
England utilized early goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to control the tempo of the match. Efficient ball recovery and precise passing proved to be the decisive factors in overcoming the Croatian defense.
Further reading
For more information on current tournament standings and results, visit the Soccer section.
