The Croatian national team will play England on Thursday at 20:45 in the Nations League at Wembley. Croatia's manager is Slaven Bilić, and the team won bronze at the last World Cup.
Croatia have previously lost to England 0-7, in Rijeka. That defeat is overshadowed by one of Croatia's most famous results against the same opponent, achieved in London.
In November 2007, Croatia beat England 3-2 in London in the final round of Euro qualifiers. Croatia had already secured first place in the group, so they played the match without the need for a specific result. England missed out on qualification for Euro 2008 as a result. Russia also qualified for Euro 2008 alongside Croatia.
The Croatian manager at the time was also Bilić, in his first term. The match was played by current Croatian captain Luka Modrić, who is now 41 years old. Almost 19 years have passed since then.
The time gap between that match and the upcoming one is best illustrated by two biographical details. Current Croatian centre-back Luka Vušković, who is now 19 years old, was less than nine months old at the time. England and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, who is now 18 years old, would be born nine months later.
Croatia thus return to Wembley to face England, nearly two decades after the victory that closed the doors of Euro 2008 to England.
