Croatia travel to Wembley tonight (12 October, 20:45) to face England, and they arrive with a painful memory still fresh. Their last meeting with the Three Lions ended in a 7-0 thrashing at Rujevica last month, the heaviest defeat Croatia have suffered since independence.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and others all found the net that night, leaving Croatian fans questioning how their side could be so thoroughly outplayed on home soil. It was a result that stung deeply, and it has shaped the narrative around this return fixture.
A Test of Character
Playing at Wembley, one of football’s most iconic stadiums, offers Croatia a chance to answer that defeat. Their challenge is clear: show they can compete with England over 90 minutes and erase the memory of that Rijeka night.
Revenge is an easy word to use before a match like this, but the reality is more demanding. England have shown they can punish any lapse in concentration, and Croatia will need to be far more disciplined than they were a month ago.
Our Verdict
Given the gap shown in the previous meeting and England’s firepower at home, the hosts are expected to start as favourites. Still, Croatia have a reputation for pride and resilience on the big stage, and a strong response is far from impossible.
Source: www.jutarnji.hr
