MATCH REPORT: ENGLAND 1-0 CROATIA

Photo credit: Pool/Reuters

England avenged their 2018 World Cup exit to Croatia with a 1-0 victory over the Blazers in their first game at Euro 2020.

Raheem Sterling’s first ever goal at a major international tournament meant the Three Lions registered a winning start to a European Championship for the very first time.

In a scorching Wembley Stadium, Gareth Southgate’s team made a strong start to the match with Phil Foden striking the post after just five minutes and Kalvin Phillips hitting a low volley into the hands of Dominik Livakovic.

The Leeds United midfielder turned creator on 57 minutes, sliding a through ball for Sterling to race onto and fire home, giving his side the lead.

It ended up making the difference in an extremely even match that Croatia will feel hard done-by to have come away with a defeat from.

It was perhaps in defence where England found their edge with Tyrone Mings and John Stones forming a strong centre-back pairing and Phillips successfully nullifying the threat of Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric in the Croatia midfield.

The win sees the Three Lions rise to the top of Group D, where they will be hoping to remain, and their supporters can now look ahead to the mouth-watering clash with deadly rivals Scotland on Friday.