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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

England rue Rashford misses in Croatia stalemate

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Rijeka, Croatia: England’s attempt to exact World Cup revenge on Croatia fell short in a 0-0 Nations League draw in front of an empty stadium in Rijeka on Friday as the visitors were left to rue Marcus Rashford’s profligacy in front of goal.


Rashford twice fired too close to Dominik Livakovic with just the Croatia goalkeeper to beat, while Eric Dier and Harry Kane also hit the woodwork for the Three Lions as Croatia toiled.


However, a point does little for either side’s hopes of usurping Spain, who beat both last month, to progress to the first ever Nations League semifinals next summer.


Croatia were completing a UEFA sanction to play two games behind closed doors after a swastika symbol was carved into the pitch during a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy in June 2015.


A small band of England fans perched on a hill overlooking the deserted 8,000 capacity stadium in Rijeka tried to offer their encouragement.


However, the lack of atmosphere in the stands was reflected on the pitch with neither side understandably hitting the heights they did at the World Cup when Croatia beat England 2-1 in the semifinals.


England boss Gareth Southgate had named a vastly inexperienced squad, including six uncapped players.


None of the new faces were named in the starting line-up, but Leicester’s Ben Chilwell was handed his first start and nearly created the opener with a fine low cross that Josip Pivaric did well to prevent Raheem Sterling turning home.


Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal to end England’s World Cup dream 93 days ago in Moscow, but without the Juventus striker, who has since retired from international football, Croatia lacked a focal point up front.


Andrej Kramaric had the hosts’ best chance, but placed his shot from Ivan Perisic’s cut-back too close to Jordan Pickford, who made a smart save.


England’s prowess from set-pieces played a huge role in their World Cup success and again proved a potent weapon.


Dier headed Jordan Henderson’s corner off the post a minute before the break.


And six minutes after the break, Kane rose highest to a Henderson free-kick only to see his looping header come back off the crossbar.


Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic complained after a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain that his side were still fatigued from their summer exertions and they faded again as England took control at the start of the second period. — AFP


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