Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described a 0-0 Nations League draw with England in a World Cup semi-final rematch as a “sad” day for football as fans were banned from the clash in Rijeka.
Croatia were completing a Uefa sanction after a swastika symbol was carved into the pitch during a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy over three years ago.
“The atmosphere is not easy for anybody. It is sad for football but hopefully this is our last time,” said Dalic.
“Football is played for the fans. It’s sad the second and fourth team from the World Cup are playing behind closed doors. I don’t know who it is good for.”
In front of the empty stands, Marcus Rashford missed two glorious chances to exact England a small measure of revenge for missing out on the World Cup final to Croatia 93 days ago in Moscow.
Eric Dier and Harry Kane also hit the woodwork for the visitors, who enjoyed the better of a subdued game befitting of the bizarre atmosphere.
“It feels like a game we should have won,” said England manager Gareth Southgate.
“We dictated the flow of the game for a long period. The second-half performance was excellent, we were pushing and pushing right to the end and on another day we would finish those chances.”
A small band of England supporters perched on a hill overlooking the deserted 8,000 capacity stadium in Rijeka tried to offer their encouragement.
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 semi-finals next summer.
“We could easily hear the ones on the hill,” said Dier. “They were the only ones here.”
England rue Rashford chances
Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal to end England’s World Cup dream in Moscow, but without the Juventus striker, who has since retired from international football, Croatia lacked a focal point up front.
“We need to stop talking about Mario Mandzukic,” added Dalic. “He is not here and we need to respect his decision.”
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.
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.
Ross Barkley had strong claims for a penalty waived away on his first international appearance for two-and-a-half years before Rashford was twice presented with golden chances to score for the third straight game for his country.
But on both occasions the Manchester United forward produced weak finishes to Dominik Livakovic’s left-hand side and the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper made comfortable saves.
“On another day we would have won 3-0,” said Barkley. “We should have been more ruthless.”
Southgate threw on 18-year-old Jadon Sancho for his international debut 12 minutes from time in search of a winner.
The Borussia Dortmund wonder kid showed some impressive touches but couldn’t provide a final spark as England had to settle for a point.
Lukaku strikes twice as Belgium battle past Switzerland
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku struck twice as Belgium maintained their strong start to the Nations League with a battling 2-1 win over Switzerland on Friday.
When Lukaku found the net with an angled drive on 58 minutes, it looked like Roberto Martinez’s men would be giving French World Cup winner Thierry Henry a winning send-off in his final match as Belgium assistant coach ahead of an imminent move to Monaco.
The World Cup semi-finalists took their eye off the ball on 76 minutes, and the King Baudoin Stadium was stunned when Mario Gavranovic poked the ball past Thibaut Courtois from close range in after the Real Madrid ‘keeper had been drawn by Nico Elvedi heading Xherdan Shaqiri’s floated cross back into play.
But in a busy final period that saw the hosts turn the throttle Lukaku had his second six minutes from time.
Belgium’s second win of the fledgling tournament keeps them flying high in League A Group 2 following an opening 3-0 win in Iceland.
Fresh from their own 6-0 win over Iceland, Switzerland gave Belgium a run for their money in a fairly balanced opening half in which the hosts mainly flattered to deceive.
A Shaqiri effort on two minutes was no trouble for Courtois but Belgium threatend a minute later when Youri Tielemans completed a slick one-two to drive a rasping low shot inches wide of Yann Sommer’s left upright.
Yannick Carrasco’s header was off-target and then Eden Hazard was allowed to cut in from the left to set up Carrasco for a decent swipe at goal that inched just wide on 25 minutes.
Lukaku showed power and agility to hold off his markers, pivot and complete a one-two with Axel Witsel before testing Sommer’s reflexes via a deflection off Fabian Shar’s leg.
On 58 minutes Lukaku finally beat Sommer, from the right of the area after an assist from Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Meunier.
From a quickly-take Hazard corner, Mertens’ curling drive was spot on but pushed to safety by Sommer at the far post just after the hour.
Minutes later Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka fired just wide of Courtois’s post.
Barcelona defender Thomas Vermeulen hobbled off to be replaced by Derdryck Boyata on 73 minutes.
Minutes later, the Belgian defence were nowhere when Gavranovic poked past the stranded Courtois for a 76th minute leveller.
Swiss hopes of a draw crashed when series of passes found Lukaku in space in the area and the big United striker bundled an awkward ball past the splayed Sommer for an 85th minute winner.