England face Croatia in Nations League away clash as Tuchel eyes record

England visit Croatia in their third UEFA Nations League match at the Stadion HNK Rijeka. Thomas Tuchel's side enter the fixture aiming for a ninth consecutive away win, which would equal an all-time record set during the tenure of Alf Ramsey.

Team News And Form

Alex Scott makes his first England start in midfield alongside the returning Jarell Quansah. The Three Lions opened their campaign with a defeat against Spain before bouncing back with a victory over the Czech Republic. Opta's supercomputer gives England a 48.6 percent chance of winning in Rijeka, compared to 27.4 percent for Croatia. Croatia suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Spain in their previous outing and have lost five of their ten games in 2026. Luka Modric starts for the hosts alongside Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic. Together, Croatia's veteran trio holds 486 total caps, surpassing the combined total of the entire England starting eleven at 468.

Context

UEFA Nations League matches bring together top European national teams in competitive groups outside of the traditional World Cup and European Championship cycles. Teams play home and away fixtures to determine group standings, qualification for knockout rounds, and promotion or relegation between leagues.