England 2 – 1 Croatia [80′]
Despite all the talk about James Trafford, it’s Jordan Pickford who keeps goal for England this evening at Wembley as they face Croatia again in the Nations League, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner both on the huge substitutes bench.
However, his first involvement was to flap at the ball and bundle it out of play for a needless corner. Jarell Quasah then gave a hospital ball back to Pickford and all he could do was send it out for a corner.
After a very sloppy opening from England, they went ahead through an equally sloppy goal. Harry Kane delivered a nice ball to the back post and it was knocked back across goal by Jude Bellingham for Morgan Rogers to boot into the ground, the bounce catching Livakovic as it bobbled into the net.
Pickford went on to make a couple of routine saves before half-time, as Croatia tried but largely failed to apply any real pressure.
England were a bit more lively in the second half but couldn’t get the second goal before the hour-mark, and a really poor goal was gifted to Croatia when Quansah headed the ball back weakly toward Pickford and it bounced nicely for Sucic to lash it past Pickford. Shocking play from one of Tuchel’s favourites.
But they were rescued by a VAR penalty award for a tug on Quansah that gave Harry Kane an opportunity he would not miss.
Everton’s James Garner was one of three England subs around the 77th minute, replacing Declan Rice.