England secure Nations League quarter-final berth after defeating Croatia at Wembley Stadium

England secured their place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals after a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, November 13, 2026. The result ensures the Three Lions progress to the next stage of the competition, though they must still conclude their group stage campaign to determine their final standing.

Croatia remained competitive throughout the encounter, with Inter midfielder Petar Sucic finding the net to keep the visitors in contention. Despite the pressure from the Croatian side, England managed to maintain their lead to claim the three points and confirm their advancement.

A historic presentation at Wembley

Before the match commenced, the evening was marked by a significant ceremonial moment involving two of football's most decorated players. Milan midfielder Luka Modric presented England captain Harry Kane with a replica of the first football brought to Croatia by an Englishman. The replica was crafted using materials from 1880 and featured the red and black colours associated with Milan.

The presentation highlighted the long-standing connection between the two nations. Modric, who previously won the Ballon d'Or in 2018, described Kane's career as amazing. Kane, who was the recipient of the 2026 Ballon d'Or, noted that he has not fully processed his recent achievements and remains focused on the upcoming matches for his country. During the match, Kane also reached a significant milestone, earning his 126th cap for England.

While there were conflicting reports regarding the exact year the first football was introduced to Croatia, with some accounts suggesting 1880 and others 1990, the ceremony served as a tribute to the history of the game in both countries.

Team news and player updates

Beyond the results on the pitch, the match provided an opportunity for England players to address recent discussions regarding the squad. England midfielder Morgan Rogers addressed questions regarding the commitment of Cole Palmer to the national team. Rogers denied rumours suggesting Palmer lacked the desire to play for England following his recent struggles with injury.

The victory provides England with momentum heading into the final stages of the group. The squad's depth and the return of key players will be vital as they look to navigate the knockout phases of the tournament.

What comes next

The win guarantees England a place in the quarter-finals, but the final order of the group remains undecided. England will play a match on Sunday to decide who tops their group. Finishing at the top of the group is highly significant, as the group winner will receive a more favourable draw in the next stage of the UEFA Nations League.

For Croatia, the defeat ends their hopes of topping the group, though they will look to build on the performance of players like Petar Sucic as they prepare for future international fixtures.