Croatia holds England in empty stadium
Rijeka, Croatia - Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described a 0-0 Nations League draw on Friday with England in a World Cup semifinal rematch as a "sad" day for football as fans were banned from the clash in Rijeka.
Croatia was completing a UEFA sanction after a swastika symbol was carved into the pitch during a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy over three years ago. "The atmosphere is not easy for anybody. It is sad for football but hopefully this is our last time," said Dalic.
"Football is played for the fans. It's sad the second and fourth team from the World Cup are playing behind closed doors. I don't know who it is good for."
In front of the empty stands, Marcus Rashford missed two glorious chances to exact England a small measure of revenge for missing out on the World Cup final to Croatia 93 days ago in Moscow.
Eric Dier and Harry Kane also hit the woodwork for the visitors, who enjoyed the better of a subdued game befitting of the bizarre atmosphere.
"It feels like a game we should have won," said England manager Gareth Southgate.
However, a point does little for either side's hopes of usurping Spain, who beat both last month, to progress to the first ever Nations League semifinals next summer.
Other results on Friday: League B: Group 3: Austria 1 Northern Ireland 0; League C: Group 2: Greece 1 Hungary 0, Estonia 0 Finland 1; League D: Group 2: Belarus 1 Luxembourg 0, Moldova 2 San Marino 0.