England vs. Croatia: Eight Years On, Three Lions Seek World Cup Revenge
Revisiting Moscow: The Rematch Eight Years in the Making
For all the memorable encounters between England and Croatia over the years, one match remains at the forefront of English football fans' memory. These two sides met in Moscow in the 2018 World Cup in a match that altered the trajectory of both nations in very different ways.
England stood just 90 minutes away from their first World Cup final since their glory days of 1966, and Gareth Southgate’s side got off to the perfect start, with Kieran Trippier slotting away a stunning free-kick beyond Danijel Subasic to give the Three Lions an early lead.
However, Croatia had built a reputation for resilience throughout that tournament, as their battle-hardened squad led by Luka Modric had already survived back-to-back knockout games that went beyond the 90!
Despite their early setback, Zlatko Dalic’s men built their way back into the contest and got their reward midway through the second half thanks to Ivan Perisic. Mario Mandzukic then netted in extra-time to complete the comeback and send Vatreni into their first-ever World Cup final.
That clash ensures there will be no shortage of motivation when the teams meet again tonight, and you can see all the key stats for the encounter in our England vs Croatia prediction. For England, this is a shot at redemption, while for Croatia, it is a chance to show why they are widely considered giant killers.
Road to World Cup 2026: How England and Croatia Earned Their Place
While history and revenge provide the backdrop for tonight's encounter in Dallas, both England and Croatia arrive at the 2026 World Cup following qualification campaigns that underscored their progression and reinforced their statuses among Europe’s elite.
The Three Lions combined attacking firepower with defensive solidity to finish top of their group as one of only two teams - alongside Norway - with a perfect record of eight wins from eight. They scored 22 times (average 2.75) and ended as the only team not to concede a single goal!
England: 2026 World Cup Qualification (UEFA Group K)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 24 |
| 2 | Albania | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 14 |
| 3 | Serbia | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 13 |
| 4 | Latvia | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 15 | −10 | 5 |
| 5 | Andorra | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 16 | −13 | 1 |
Meanwhile, Croatia’s journey to the global tournament in North America was characteristically different but no less impressive. Their qualification campaign once again highlighted the trademarks of Croatian football: resilience, tactical intelligence and the ability to deliver under pressure.
Vatreni were drawn into Group L along with the Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Gibraltar. After eight matches, Dalic’s side finished unbeaten with seven wins and a draw, scoring 26 goals (3.25 goals per 90), while only conceding four times.
Croatia: 2026 World Cup Qualification (UEFA Group L)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croatia | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 4 | 22 | 22 |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 16 |
| 3 | Faroe Islands | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 12 |
| 4 | Montenegro | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 17 | −9 | 9 |
| 5 | Gibraltar | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 28 | −25 | 0 |
Head-to-Head: England Have Had the Edge Since Moscow
In the years since that dramatic night in Moscow, England have had the upper hand against Croatia, and it is the Three Lions who are the clear favourites coming into tonight’s blockbuster, as shown in our 2026 World Cup predictions.
Just a few months on from their 2018 World Cup heartbreak, England pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks of Southgate’s tenure at the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League. After falling behind early in the second half, England rallied through goals from Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane to secure a 2-1 victory.
The rivalry was renewed once again in the group stage of Euro 2020, where Raheem Sterling’s decisive goal in the 57th minute of the match capped off a disciplined and mature performance by England and secured them a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium - their third match against Croatia without defeat since Moscow 2018.
England vs. Croatia: Results Since Moscow 2018
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 13.06.2021 | Euro 2020 | England 1-0 Croatia |
| 18.11.2018 | UEFA Nations League | England 2-1 Croatia |
| 12.10.2018 | UEFA Nations League | Croatia 0-0 England |
| 11.07.2018 | World Cup | Croatia 2-1 England (AET) |
