England's memorable encounters with Croatia

England travel to Rijeka to face Croatia on Saturday, for their third UEFA Nations League group fixture of the September-October international break.

Looking to build on Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Czechia in Prague, England face a Croatia side that suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Spain in their midweek fixture.

The two nations are no strangers, having faced each other on 12 occasions since the initial meeting in April 1996. While that first fixture finished as a goalless draw, there have been some memorable encounters since. 

Look back on five of the most memorable over the past two decades.

Croatia 2-4 England, UEFA Euro 2004 group stage, 2004

This thrilling encounter catapulted an 18-year-old by the name of Wayne Rooney onto the world stage, in what was an eventful tournament for the Three Lions. 

Croatia took an early lead courtesy of Niko Kovać, however England replied courtesy of a Paul Scholes goal and a brace from the impressive Rooney.

While Croatia netted a second through Igor Tudor, England capped off a dominant performance with a fourth goal with just over ten minutes remaining, scored by Frank Lampard, which sealed victory and secured passage to the knockout stages. 

Croatia 1-4 England, FIFA World Cup qualifying, 2008

A game that a 19-year-old Theo Walcott will never forget. Led by Fabio Capello, the Three Lions travelled to Zagreb having previously failed to beat Croatia away.

Walcott arguably enjoyed his finest game in an England shirt, netting a superb hat-trick to help guide the side to an emphatic victory. 

Wayne Rooney also scored for England, with Mario Mandžukić scoring a consolation for the home side, who had previously enjoyed an impressive record of consecutive victories on home soil.

England 5-1 Croatia, FIFA World Cup qualifying, 2009

A year later, England welcomed Croatia to Wembley Stadium and ended the evening securing their place in the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

The impressive midfield duo of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both scored two goals apiece, while Croatia’s solitary goal game from Eduardo. A statement victory which created a buzz of excitement heading into the World Cup.

England 1-0 Croatia, UEFA Euro 2020, 2021

This fixture was England’s opening group game of the UEFA Euro 2020 competition on home soil.

In a competitive fixture, it was Raheem Sterling who scored the decisive goal, latching onto Kalvin Phillips’ fine pass to give the Three Lions the lead and, as it would emerge, their first-ever victory in a European Championship opening fixture.

England 4-2 Croatia, FIFA World Cup group stage, 2026

The latest meeting between the two sides was the opening group game of last summer’s FIFA World Cup in Dallas, where Thomas Tuchel’s side emerged victorious in a thrilling match.

Harry Kane put England ahead from the penalty spot, but Croatia levelled through Martin Baturina’s powerful effort which went beyond Jordan Pickford. Kane netted his second just before the break to give England the lead just before the interval, but not before Croatia levelled again on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Petar Musa.

England restored their lead just after the break thanks to a wonderful drive and finish from Jude Bellingham, with Marcus Rashford completing the scoring and sealing the win after coming off the bench with just five minutes remaining.