Barcelona has regained the top spot in the La Liga table after Ivan Rakitic's crucial goal helped the Catalonia giants edge past Athletic Bilbao.&nbsp;

Messi failed to score his 700th career goal for country and club but he did provided 250th career assist to ensure victory to Barcelona.&nbsp;

Barcelona's win puts the pressure back to Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid. If they beat Real Mallorca on Wednesday, they return to the top of La Liga.&nbsp;

"We knew it was going to be complicated," Setien said. "Also because of the situation, there is some anxiety because there's less and less margin for error.

"Sometimes we didn't play with that composure and that showed in the first half when were more inaccurate than usual. We gave some belief and confidence to Athletic."

Dependence on Messi was high and his performance determined the course of the match. Rakitic is among the few players who are likely to leave the club during the summer transfer window.&nbsp;

"It's a difficult period but we have to stick together," said Rakitic. "It was an important goal, it was a tough game, it was hard for us to open the game up."

Barcelona has regained the top spot in the La Liga table after Ivan Rakitic's crucial goal helped the Catalonia giants edge past Athletic Bilbao. Messi failed to score his 700th career goal for country and club but he did provided 250th career assist to ensure victory to Barcelona.

Barcelona has regained the top spot in the La Liga table after Ivan Rakitic's crucial goal helped the Catalonia giants edge past Athletic Bilbao. Messi failed to score his 700th career goal for country and club but he did provided 250th career assist to ensure victory to Barcelona. Barcelona's win puts the pressure back to Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid. If they beat Real Mallorca on Wednesday, they return to the top of La Liga. "We knew it was going to be complicated," Setien said. "Also because of the situation, there is some anxiety because there's less and less margin for error. "Sometimes we didn't play with that composure and that showed in the first half when were more inaccurate than usual. We gave some belief and confidence to Athletic." Dependence on Messi was high and his performance determined the course of the match. Rakitic is among the few players who are likely to leave the club during the summer transfer window. "It's a difficult period but we have to stick together," said Rakitic. "It was an important goal, it was a tough game, it was hard for us to open the game up."

La Liga: Lionel Messi's 250th assist helps Barcelona edge past Athletic Bilbao

Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley scored as the English Premier League club Chelsea defeated Barcelona 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Saitama, Japan on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Barcelona's £107-million star signing Antoine Griezmann made his first start for the Spanish champions while for Chelsea, Mason and Christian Pulisic started for the team.&nbsp;

Abraham&nbsp;capitalised an early Pedro shot by pouncing on a mistake by Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets who attempted to clear the ball and scored the classy opener in the 34th minute. Substitute Barkley stretched the lead to 2-0 by scoring in the 81st minute.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Barcelona were offensive in the second half but superb saves by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga repeatedly denied Barca any attempt to equalise.&nbsp;

Barcelona got a free-kick just outside the box but midfielder Ivan Rakitic's shot went above the bar.

Rakitic however quickly redeemed himself in injury time, picking up a cross and firing a lightning right-footer that went deep into the net for a consolation goal for Barcelona.

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Full-time: Chelsea 2-1 Barcelona! 💪 
 
Goals from <a href="https://twitter.com/tammyabraham?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tammyabraham</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/RBarkley8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RBarkley8</a> secure the win in our final game in Japan! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFCinJapan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFCinJapan</a> <a href="https://t.co/BD0JdfmUPs">pic.twitter.com/BD0JdfmUPs</a>
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1153642026245615616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Chelsea had started their tour with 1-0 loss to Kawasaki Frontale and Barcelona will play J League team Vissel Kobe on Saturday.&nbsp;

Barcelona will start their La Liga campaign against Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday, 17th August and Chelsea will start their Premier League season with a mouth-watering clash against Manchester United on August 10.&nbsp;

Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley scored as the English Premier League club Chelsea defeated Barcelona 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Saitama, Japan on Tuesday. Barcelona's £107-million star signing Antoine Griezmann made his first start for the Spanish champions while for Chelsea, Mason and Christian Pulisic started for the team.

Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley scored as the English Premier League club Chelsea defeated Barcelona 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Saitama, Japan on Tuesday. Barcelona's £107-million star signing Antoine Griezmann made his first start for the Spanish champions while for Chelsea, Mason and Christian Pulisic started for the team. Abraham capitalised an early Pedro shot by pouncing on a mistake by Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets who attempted to clear the ball and scored the classy opener in the 34th minute. Substitute Barkley stretched the lead to 2-0 by scoring in the 81st minute. Barcelona were offensive in the second half but superb saves by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga repeatedly denied Barca any attempt to equalise. Barcelona got a free-kick just outside the box but midfielder Ivan Rakitic's shot went above the bar. Rakitic however quickly redeemed himself in injury time, picking up a cross and firing a lightning right-footer that went deep into the net for a consolation goal for Barcelona. Full-time: Chelsea 2-1 Barcelona! 💪 Goals from @tammyabraham and @RBarkley8 secure the win in our final game in Japan! 👏#CFCinJapan pic.twitter.com/BD0JdfmUPs — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 23, 2019 × Chelsea had started their tour with 1-0 loss to Kawasaki Frontale and Barcelona will play J League team Vissel Kobe on Saturday. Barcelona will start their La Liga campaign against Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday, 17th August and Chelsea will start their Premier League season with a mouth-watering clash against Manchester United on August 10.

Chelsea beat Barcelona 2-1 in a pre-season friendly

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic said to play&nbsp;against former Barca captain Andres Iniesta will be "little weird" as the Spanish giants are set to face Vissel Kobe of J&nbsp;League in a pre-season friendly.&nbsp;

"It will be very special to play against them, even a little weird because until recently they have been part of the team and now we will have to face them and both parts, we'll have enjoy the game," said Rakitic while addressing the media. &nbsp;

"Playing against Andres, especially, it will be weird for me because he is one of the best friends I have in football and now having to play against him, apart from all the quality he has and being friends, will be very special and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy a very special moment with him," he added.&nbsp;

On Monday, Barcelona trained ahead of their pre-season friendly against the Premier League club Chelsea in the Rakuten Cup.&nbsp;

After Chelsea, Barcelona will face&nbsp;Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper of Vissel Kobe on Saturday (27th July).&nbsp;

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic accepts his days at the Nou Camp may be numbered, but for now he is concentrating on preparing for next season with the Spanish champions but said the rumours do not bother him.&nbsp;

After the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and 31-year-old Sergio Busquets signing a new five-year deal last year, Barcelona’s midfield is looking a little crowded and the Croat could be the man shipped out this summer.&nbsp;

“Does it bother me? No it doesn’t, I have to understand soccer in general works like that,” Rakitic said at a news conference in Tokyo when asked about any impending move.

Barcelona will start their La Liga campaign against Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday, 17th August.&nbsp;

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic said to play against former Barca captain Andres Iniesta will be "little weird" as the Spanish giants are set to face Vissel Kobe of J League in a pre-season friendly.

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic said to play against former Barca captain Andres Iniesta will be "little weird" as the Spanish giants are set to face Vissel Kobe of J League in a pre-season friendly. "It will be very special to play against them, even a little weird because until recently they have been part of the team and now we will have to face them and both parts, we'll have enjoy the game," said Rakitic while addressing the media. "Playing against Andres, especially, it will be weird for me because he is one of the best friends I have in football and now having to play against him, apart from all the quality he has and being friends, will be very special and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy a very special moment with him," he added. On Monday, Barcelona trained ahead of their pre-season friendly against the Premier League club Chelsea in the Rakuten Cup. After Chelsea, Barcelona will face Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper of Vissel Kobe on Saturday (27th July). Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic accepts his days at the Nou Camp may be numbered, but for now he is concentrating on preparing for next season with the Spanish champions but said the rumours do not bother him. After the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and 31-year-old Sergio Busquets signing a new five-year deal last year, Barcelona’s midfield is looking a little crowded and the Croat could be the man shipped out this summer. “Does it bother me? No it doesn’t, I have to understand soccer in general works like that,” Rakitic said at a news conference in Tokyo when asked about any impending move. Barcelona will start their La Liga campaign against Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday, 17th August.

'It will be weird to play against Andres Iniesta,' says Ivan Rakitic

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic accepts his days at the Nou Camp may be numbered, but for now he is concentrating on preparing for next season with the Spanish champions.

After the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and 31-year-old Sergio Busquets signing a new five-year deal last year, Barcelona’s midfield is looking a little crowded and the Croat could be the man shipped out this summer.

Speaking ahead of his side’s pre-season match against Chelsea in Japan on Tuesday, Rakitic admitted it was awkward talking about his future but he was used to the rumours.

“Does it bother me? No it doesn’t, I have to understand soccer in general works like that,” Rakitic said at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday when asked about any impending move.

“In some way it also fills me with pride because if other teams ask about me it is because I am doing things really well."

Rakitic said he is simply trying to enjoy his soccer at Barca as they seek to put disappointments of recent seasons behind them.

“I think the club has other things to do right now other than speak about my issues,” the 31-year-old said.

Coach Ernesto Valverde has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to attacking midfielders at his disposal after the arrival of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/antoine-griezmann-says-heart-with-barca-after-ugly-atletico-exit-237708">Antoine Griezmann</a> from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid this month.

Griezmann joins a loaded attacking group that also includes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Phillipe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.

French international Griezmann, who is likely to play his first game in a Barcelona shirt on Tuesday, accepts that Barca play a different brand of football to Atletico but he is confident he can adjust.

“They are two different ways of attacking,” Griezmann said. “At Atletico, it’s very quick and the other way is with lots of patience. I will adapt like I did at Atletico.”

“It’s a style I like. I know I can contribute in many ways and, as you know, it’s not a problem for me to run in front or in the back.”

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic accepts his days at the Nou Camp may be numbered, but for now he is concentrating on preparing for next season with the Spanish champions.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic accepts his days at the Nou Camp may be numbered, but for now he is concentrating on preparing for next season with the Spanish champions. After the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and 31-year-old Sergio Busquets signing a new five-year deal last year, Barcelona’s midfield is looking a little crowded and the Croat could be the man shipped out this summer. Speaking ahead of his side’s pre-season match against Chelsea in Japan on Tuesday, Rakitic admitted it was awkward talking about his future but he was used to the rumours. “Does it bother me? No it doesn’t, I have to understand soccer in general works like that,” Rakitic said at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday when asked about any impending move. “In some way it also fills me with pride because if other teams ask about me it is because I am doing things really well." Rakitic said he is simply trying to enjoy his soccer at Barca as they seek to put disappointments of recent seasons behind them. “I think the club has other things to do right now other than speak about my issues,” the 31-year-old said. Coach Ernesto Valverde has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to attacking midfielders at his disposal after the arrival of Antoine Griezmann from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid this month. Griezmann joins a loaded attacking group that also includes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Phillipe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. French international Griezmann, who is likely to play his first game in a Barcelona shirt on Tuesday, accepts that Barca play a different brand of football to Atletico but he is confident he can adjust. “They are two different ways of attacking,” Griezmann said. “At Atletico, it’s very quick and the other way is with lots of patience. I will adapt like I did at Atletico.” “It’s a style I like. I know I can contribute in many ways and, as you know, it’s not a problem for me to run in front or in the back.”

Transfer rumours 'does not' bother Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic

FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic said on Tuesday that his captain Lionel Messi's enormous desire to win the Champions League has spread across the club.&nbsp; 
 
The Catalan side is set to host England's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lionel-messi-best-player-ever-but-we-have-a-chance-says-jurgen-klopp-ahead-of-champions-league-tie-against-barcelona-214977">Liverpool at Camp Nou stadium in the first leg of the semi-finals</a> on Wednesday.&nbsp; 
 
"When the captain says one thing, all the others are to follow the path he has set for the team, he takes the lead and we follow him," Rakitic said at a pre-game press conference in the club's grounds.&nbsp; 
 
The Champions League is the competition that Messi highlighted in a pre-season interview as his side's first priority this season, as Barcelona is keen to bring the trophy back to Camp Nou, four years after it last won the trophy.&nbsp; 
 
The Croatian midfielder said that the squad is ready to compete at the highest level in the difficult tie against its English rival. 
 
"We are confident and eager, the team is very switched on and now comes the most beautiful game," he said.&nbsp; 
 
"We are prepared and with an incredible desire to win, it will be very important to score and keep a clean sheet."&nbsp; 
 
Having secured the La Liga cup and reached the Copa del Rey final, Rakitic said he hopes Barcelona will have a perfect season by winning a treble.&nbsp; 
 
Head coach Ernesto Valverde warned that Liverpool is able to pose a threat in attack.&nbsp; 
 
"Liverpool is a very powerful team, who play with a great level of pressure and rhythm," he said. 
 
"They will be a very difficult opponent to beat." 
 
He added: "Our intention is to win, but we know the value of stopping them from scoring. We have to play two good matches." 
 
Valverde said he believes that the current Liverpool squad "is not so different" from the team that played in the final last season, against eventual champion Real Madrid.&nbsp; 
 
"It has changed some players, but it is similar in style and personality, recognizable and fearsome," he added. 
 
The Spanish coach called on fans to continue their support for the team. 
 
"The crowd at Camp Nou is already playing a decisive role," he said. 
 
"For several weeks now, more than 90,000 fans attend the stadium, and that is what we notice and (our) rivals too."

FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic said on Tuesday that his captain Lionel Messi's enormous desire to win the Champions League has spread across the club. The Catalan side is set to host England's Liverpool at Camp Nou stadium in the first leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday.

FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic said on Tuesday that his captain Lionel Messi's enormous desire to win the Champions League has spread across the club. The Catalan side is set to host England's Liverpool at Camp Nou stadium in the first leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday. "When the captain says one thing, all the others are to follow the path he has set for the team, he takes the lead and we follow him," Rakitic said at a pre-game press conference in the club's grounds. The Champions League is the competition that Messi highlighted in a pre-season interview as his side's first priority this season, as Barcelona is keen to bring the trophy back to Camp Nou, four years after it last won the trophy. The Croatian midfielder said that the squad is ready to compete at the highest level in the difficult tie against its English rival. "We are confident and eager, the team is very switched on and now comes the most beautiful game," he said. "We are prepared and with an incredible desire to win, it will be very important to score and keep a clean sheet." Having secured the La Liga cup and reached the Copa del Rey final, Rakitic said he hopes Barcelona will have a perfect season by winning a treble. Head coach Ernesto Valverde warned that Liverpool is able to pose a threat in attack. "Liverpool is a very powerful team, who play with a great level of pressure and rhythm," he said. "They will be a very difficult opponent to beat." He added: "Our intention is to win, but we know the value of stopping them from scoring. We have to play two good matches." Valverde said he believes that the current Liverpool squad "is not so different" from the team that played in the final last season, against eventual champion Real Madrid. "It has changed some players, but it is similar in style and personality, recognizable and fearsome," he added. The Spanish coach called on fans to continue their support for the team. "The crowd at Camp Nou is already playing a decisive role," he said. "For several weeks now, more than 90,000 fans attend the stadium, and that is what we notice and (our) rivals too."

Rakitic on Lionel Messi: 'Our captain takes the lead and we follow him'

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic will miss the winner-takes-all Nations League game against England at Wembley on Sunday due to injury, manager Zlatko Dalic said on Friday.

Barcelona's Rakitic came off in the 67th minute of the 3-2 home win over Spain on Thursday which gave Croatia the chance to top League A Group 4 and claim a place in next year's four-team finals.

"He will go to Barcelona, it's a serious injury. You know that I usually take no risk. If there is a doubt that the injury could be serious, then we let him rest," Dalic told Sky Sports.

He did not specify the injury but Rakitic left the pitch in Zagreb suffering discomfort in the back of his right thigh.

"We want healthy players and Ivan in this moment is not 100 percent ready. Unfortunately, we are going to play without him."

Rakitic, 30, has played 102 games for Croatia but Dalic said they have players capable of filling in.

"We will see who will replace him. We have (Mateo) Kovacic, we have (Josip) Brekalo, we have (Milan) Badelj," he added.

"There is always a solution and we should stop whining about someone who's not going to be there. We will find a solution and we are going to Wembley to enjoy football."

The winners of Sunday's game will qualify for the Nations League semi-finals with the losers being relegated to League B. A draw would see leaders Spain clinch top spot in Group 4.

Rakitic is suspended for La Liga leaders Barca's next game on Nov. 24 at third-placed Atletico Madrid, who trail by a point, after being sent off in the home defeat by Real Betis on Sunday.

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic will miss the winner-takes-all Nations League game against England at Wembley on Sunday due to injury, manager Zlatko Dalic said on Friday.

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic will miss the winner-takes-all Nations League game against England at Wembley on Sunday due to injury, manager Zlatko Dalic said on Friday. Barcelona's Rakitic came off in the 67th minute of the 3-2 home win over Spain on Thursday which gave Croatia the chance to top League A Group 4 and claim a place in next year's four-team finals. "He will go to Barcelona, it's a serious injury. You know that I usually take no risk. If there is a doubt that the injury could be serious, then we let him rest," Dalic told Sky Sports. He did not specify the injury but Rakitic left the pitch in Zagreb suffering discomfort in the back of his right thigh. "We want healthy players and Ivan in this moment is not 100 percent ready. Unfortunately, we are going to play without him." Rakitic, 30, has played 102 games for Croatia but Dalic said they have players capable of filling in. "We will see who will replace him. We have (Mateo) Kovacic, we have (Josip) Brekalo, we have (Milan) Badelj," he added. "There is always a solution and we should stop whining about someone who's not going to be there. We will find a solution and we are going to Wembley to enjoy football." The winners of Sunday's game will qualify for the Nations League semi-finals with the losers being relegated to League B. A draw would see leaders Spain clinch top spot in Group 4. Rakitic is suspended for La Liga leaders Barca's next game on Nov. 24 at third-placed Atletico Madrid, who trail by a point, after being sent off in the home defeat by Real Betis on Sunday.

Croatia midfielder Rakitic out of England Nations League game

England wasted several gilt-edged chances as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to World Cup runners-up Croatia in a Nations League top-tier Group 4 clash behind closed doors on Friday.

Eric Dier and Harry Kane headed against the woodwork for the visitors while Marcus Rashford spurned two clear opportunities as England missed out on a first win in the new competition.

The result inside the near-deserted stadium left both sides with one point from two games behind runaway leaders Spain, who have six points and host England in Seville on Monday.

England manager Gareth Southgate was disappointed with the outcome, saying: "Second half we were by far the better team and if we had taken our chances we would have won the game.

"There would be more concern if we weren’t creating chances. We showed good endeavour and creative play. We have to keep getting in those situations."

Without any fans present as Croatia served the second game of a crowd ban for racist offences by their fans in Euro 2016 qualifying, the instructions from both benches echoed around the eerily empty ground in a tepid first half at the Rijeka stadium.

Midfielder Dier reflected on the first match England had ever played behind closed doors, although he noted the presence of a handful of England fans on a hill overlooking the ground.

"It was strange, the first experience of it for all of us," Dier told Sky Sports. "A couple of fans got up on the hill but once the game started it was in the back of our minds. We could easily hear the ones on the hill, they were the only ones here."

Revenge Mission

The game was built up by some English media as a chance for the visitors to avenge Croatia's 2-1 World Cup semi-final win in Russia in July but the game failed to produce any fireworks.

The only chance in the first half fell to Dier, who glanced his header against the far post after a Jordan Henderson corner.

Chants of 'God Save the Queen' from England supporters who had gathered outside the ground seemed to lift Gareth Southgate's side after the break but the woodwork and some dreadful finishing by Rashford denied them a goal.

Kane headed a Henderson free-kick against the bar before Manchester United forward Rashford served up a pair of astonishing misses in the space of two minutes.

He scuffed a feeble shot at Dominik Livakovic from eight metres when clear on goal and the keeper then denied him again with a superb reflex save from an almost identical position.

Croatia's Ivan Perisic forced a good save from Jordan Pickford with a stinging low shot and Ante Rebic, playing in an unfamiliar lone striker role, fired inches wide with a long-range effort for the revamped home side.

England's Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund's exciting 18-year old winger, produced a darting run late on after coming off the bench to replace Raheem Sterling and make his international debut before the match fizzled out in the final few minutes.

Sancho became the second youngest England player to win his first cap in a competitive game, behind Manchester United's Duncan Edwards who died at the age of 21 as a result of the injuries he suffered in the Munich air crash of 1958.

England wasted several gilt-edged chances as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to World Cup runners-up Croatia in a Nations League top-tier Group 4 clash behind closed doors on Friday.

England wasted several gilt-edged chances as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to World Cup runners-up Croatia in a Nations League top-tier Group 4 clash behind closed doors on Friday. Eric Dier and Harry Kane headed against the woodwork for the visitors while Marcus Rashford spurned two clear opportunities as England missed out on a first win in the new competition. The result inside the near-deserted stadium left both sides with one point from two games behind runaway leaders Spain, who have six points and host England in Seville on Monday. England manager Gareth Southgate was disappointed with the outcome, saying: "Second half we were by far the better team and if we had taken our chances we would have won the game. "There would be more concern if we weren’t creating chances. We showed good endeavour and creative play. We have to keep getting in those situations." Without any fans present as Croatia served the second game of a crowd ban for racist offences by their fans in Euro 2016 qualifying, the instructions from both benches echoed around the eerily empty ground in a tepid first half at the Rijeka stadium. Midfielder Dier reflected on the first match England had ever played behind closed doors, although he noted the presence of a handful of England fans on a hill overlooking the ground. "It was strange, the first experience of it for all of us," Dier told Sky Sports. "A couple of fans got up on the hill but once the game started it was in the back of our minds. We could easily hear the ones on the hill, they were the only ones here." Revenge Mission The game was built up by some English media as a chance for the visitors to avenge Croatia's 2-1 World Cup semi-final win in Russia in July but the game failed to produce any fireworks. The only chance in the first half fell to Dier, who glanced his header against the far post after a Jordan Henderson corner. Chants of 'God Save the Queen' from England supporters who had gathered outside the ground seemed to lift Gareth Southgate's side after the break but the woodwork and some dreadful finishing by Rashford denied them a goal. Kane headed a Henderson free-kick against the bar before Manchester United forward Rashford served up a pair of astonishing misses in the space of two minutes. He scuffed a feeble shot at Dominik Livakovic from eight metres when clear on goal and the keeper then denied him again with a superb reflex save from an almost identical position. Croatia's Ivan Perisic forced a good save from Jordan Pickford with a stinging low shot and Ante Rebic, playing in an unfamiliar lone striker role, fired inches wide with a long-range effort for the revamped home side. England's Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund's exciting 18-year old winger, produced a darting run late on after coming off the bench to replace Raheem Sterling and make his international debut before the match fizzled out in the final few minutes. Sancho became the second youngest England player to win his first cap in a competitive game, behind Manchester United's Duncan Edwards who died at the age of 21 as a result of the injuries he suffered in the Munich air crash of 1958.

Croatia hold wasteful England in empty stadium

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