England 2–1 Croatia

A steep challenge for Croatia

Croatia need to halt a three-match losing run when they face England at Wembley on Thursday, with the group standings adding to the pressure. England are second in League A - Group C on nine points after four matches, six points and one place above Croatia, who have three points and sit third.

Contrasting runs in this competition

England have won three Nations League matches in a row after opening their campaign with a defeat. Across their four matches in this competition, they have scored 14 goals, conceded three and kept three clean sheets.

Croatia’s sequence has gone the other way: a win followed by three defeats. In their four Nations League matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 14, without a clean sheet. These figures describe this competition only, not either side’s broader season form.

England’s recent edge

England are unbeaten in the last five meetings, winning four while Croatia have won none; the other match was a draw. The most recent encounter came in October, when England won 7-0 away to Croatia in the Nations League. Two of those five meetings had two goals or fewer, though the latest result was a striking contrast.

Players to watch

England’s recent scoring record in the competition gives their attack a clear platform: 14 goals across four matches. Croatia, by contrast, have conceded 14 in the same span, a defensive record that will be under scrutiny after the heavy defeat in the latest meeting.

Our prediction

England have the edge at home, backed by their three straight competition wins and the sharp contrast in the teams’ recent Nations League records. Their recent dominance over Croatia strengthens that case, but a response from the visitors remains possible as they look to stop the losing streak.