Tests don’t come more difficult than facing the world’s No 1-ranked nation in their own backyard, that was the task for Croatia in their final friendly before Euro 2020 against Belgium in Brussels yesterday. They lost 1-0 but Gareth Southgate’s scouts might not have learnt too much, other than Romelu Lukaku — who scored the only goal in the 38th minute — perhaps highlighting an aerial vulnerability at the back. Six days before England host their World Cup semi-final nemesis in the opening group D game at Wembley, Croatia look ominously well prepared. SponsoredMind gamesZlatko Dalic, the Romania manager, claims his aim for the Euros is to qualify for the round of 16, but with the array of talent at his disposal, an exit

Source: The Times June 07, 2021 07:52 UTC