England national team manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed that captain Harry Kane will start Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Croatia in Rijeka, despite a 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley Stadium that left the Three Lions needing a victory to keep pace in Group A3, sport.es reported. Kickoff at Stadion Rujevica is scheduled for 18:00 local time. The reigning European powerhouse enters the contest carrying defensive vulnerabilities that have seen them concede 13 goals across their last six outings.
Tuchel Confirms Kane’s Inclusion and Evaluates Squad Fitness
Addressing reporters ahead of the trip, Tuchel made clear that his talismanic striker refused to sit out the high-stakes encounter. “Quiere jugar y lo hará,” Tuchel stated of Kane on Friday. Beyond the captain’s guaranteed presence in the starting XI, attention in Spain and England has focused heavily on Anthony Gordon’s surging international form following his high-profile transfer to Barcelona. The young winger logged 81 minutes in a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the Fortuna Arena in Prague and another 70 minutes against Spain, earning praise from teammates and analysts alike.
Statistical Dominance Propels Gordon into Intouchable Status
British media coverage highlights Gordon’s remarkable output since the knockout stages of the World Cup against Congo. According to BBC data cited by sport.es, Gordon either scores or provides an assist every 69 minutes, leading all English internationals. Jude Bellingham trails closely behind with a goal contribution every 84 minutes, followed by Harry Kane at 90 minutes and Bukayo Saka at 101 minutes. Gordon ranks inside England's top four players for expected assists (0.9), expected goals (0.9), passes into the penalty area (14), touches in the opposition box (29), chances created (eight), and shots on target (five) since the tournament's knockout phase began.
Prague Recovery Prepares Three Lions for Rijeka Test
The fixture in Croatia follows a necessary, if workmanlike, 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in Prague that halted a difficult defensive run for Tuchel’s squad. Juventud Rebelde reported that after a scoreless opening quarter marked by aggressive Czech pressing and a shot off the post by Morgan Rogers, the match turned when referee Halil Umut Meler brandished a straight red card to Pavel Sulc in the 25th minute for a high challenge on Elliot Anderson. Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first England start in nearly two years, capitalized immediately after halftime by intercepting an exit pass and setting up Gordon to head home past goalkeeper Matej Kovar. Kane sealed the result in the 69th minute with a sharp left-footed strike through a crowded area, securing clean-sheet stability that Paul Robinson described on BBC Radio 5 Live as a vital baseline performance.
Youthful Crowd Fills Stadion Rujevica Under Strict UEFA Sanctions
Tuesday’s match in Rijeka will take place in an unusual stadium atmosphere due to disciplinary measures handed down by UEFA. European football’s governing body ordered sanctions following severe fan disturbances prior to and during a match against France at the Stade de France last year, where French police detained seven individuals for Nazi salutes, and traveling supporters deployed fireworks, smoke bombs, and brandished wooden bats. Rather than playing behind closed doors, local authorities negotiated an arrangement allowing between 3,000 and 6,000 local schoolchildren, accompanied by parents and teachers, to occupy the stands. The arrangement mirrors a similar closed-door enforcement when England and Croatia drew 0-0 at the same venue in October 2018.
Remaining Squad Uncertainties Ahead of Kickoff
With Gordon heavily favored by analysts to retain his starting role alongside established figures like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, tactical alternatives remain limited. Marcus Rashford stands as the primary positional challenger within the squad, though the Barcelona winger’s explosive form leaves minimal room for changes. Whether England can replicate their Prague defensive discipline against a wounded Croatian side remains the central question as Tuchel finalizes his tactical setup for the Stadion Rujevica pitch.
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