Summary

  • Sterling finishes pass from Phillips for England victory

  • First game of Group D before Scotland v Czech Republic on Monday

  • Get involved: #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    #bbcfootball

    To all those saying "why is Trippier playing at left back?!" - it's because his Atletico Madrid teammate Vrsaljko is playing RB for Croatia. He will know how to counter that threat.

    Ben, Birmingham.

    Lots of tedious complaints of why didn't he play X, Y and Z. Are people forgetting that there are a maximum of 11 players per side? England have lots of talent, it's a good thing that some quality players will have to sit on the sidelines!

    Andrew, Ealing

    It must really sap your morale to be playing at the top of your game and get overlooked for somebody that doesn't play in that position, what sort of message is that from your manager?

    Rob, London

  2. 'Trippier is a fantastic player'published at 13:00 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Jack Wilshere
    Ex-England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I feel I can't get my head around the left-back either but let's get one thing straight - Trippier is a fantastic player. He's just won the league with Atletico. It's a more defensive move from the manager. Apart from that, the two I wanted to see were Foden and Grealish but I'm sure we'll see Grealish at some point during the game.

    With it being the first game against probably the best team we'll face in the group it would probably have been too much of a risk starting them both. It's a difficult one but with it being the first game it's important we have a strong base defensively.

  3. Tune inpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    BBC One

    You can watch build-up of the game now on BBC One and at the top of the page.

    It's an all ex-England line-up, Gary Lineker alongside Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

  4. Why England might take cautious approachpublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Jermaine JenasImage source, .

    I know people want to see a really exciting and attack-minded England display against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday - but I don't think we will start Euro 2020 on the front foot.

    Instead, what I think we will get in our opening game in Group D is a more pragmatic approach from Gareth Southgate's side, and a cautious performance.

    That might not be what Three Lions fans think should happen, because we have so much attacking talent at our disposal - but what Southgate will be hoping for is a solid performance, and something to build on.

    He might look at certain games and think he can open up a little bit more, and look to cause the opposition some problems - there will be times he might go with Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount, and get them all in his team.

    But Sunday, in his side's first match of the tournament, is not one of them.

    I am hoping to see some attacking flair from us, of course. But against Croatia, Southgate will be happy to let the game develop before he lets his team off the leash to go and create.

    Read the full piece

  5. 'We can create history'published at 12:56 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    England midfielder Mason Mount says they want to "create history" at this year's European Championship.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    #bbcfootball

    40 mins after throwing caution to the wind and now seeing the line-up, it's back to reality. Trippier on the left, really? After the season Shaw has had? Sterling over Sancho or Grealish? Pfft.

    Dom, London

    Gareth wasn't joking... if Trent were fit, he'd probably play instead of Phillips, so we would have 3 RBs in the XI.

    Sam

  7. 'Time for England to unite'published at 12:52 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Gareth Southgate says it is time for England to unite and "remember what a strong nation we are" before the Three Lions' first game of Euro 2020 against Croatia this afternoon.

  8. 'Drown out the boos'published at 12:50 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    England fans are being urged "to drown out boos with applause" by the Football Supporters' Association and Kick It Out during Euro 2020.

    England's players were booed before their two friendlies in Middlesbrough last week while taking a knee, which they do to highlight racial injustice.

    "We would urge you to think about how booing impacts the players," said Kick It Out chief executive Tony Burnett.

    "The issue we all want to address is tackling discrimination in football."

    Read the full piece

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    #bbcfootball

    No Sancho or Chilwell in the squad? Must be injuries surely keeping them two out (why two GKs!?!)

    Ryan, Norfolk

    Phillips and Rice in the same team? Talk about lack of ambition. England are scared already.

    Pat from Herts

    Don't wanna be a moaner but it kills me hes playing Trippier at LB. He'll just have to keep turning back and we'll be blunt as a result. I called it when he took 4 RBs. I also look forward to Walker switching off at a vital moment this tournament.

    Ben in Bedford

  10. 'Bizarre' to play right-footed left-backpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Chris Waddle
    Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I don't get it. Luke Shaw's had a great season for Man Utd. He got himself in the squad and we all thought he was going to start ahead of Chilwell especially in a back four.

    I don't see the reasons. I don't get it. Is it tactical in some reason? I don't see why he needs to play a right-footed left back. There is a reason and I'm sure he'll explain why but for me, it's bizarre.

  11. Team newspublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    England XIImage source, BBC Sport

    Gareth Southgate includes Kieran Trippier, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Mason Mount in his starting XI as England get under way against Croatia at Euro 2020.

    That means there’s no place for Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw, while Tyrone Mings and John Stones start in central defence.

    England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Mings, Trippier, Rice, Phillips, Mount, Foden, Sterling, Kane

    Subs: Henderson, Johnstone, Shaw, Grealish, Henderson, Rashford, Coady, Calvert-Lewin, White, James, Saka, Bellingham

    Croatia XIImage source, BBC Sport

    Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic all feature as Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic names six of the side that started the 2018 World Cup final in Russia.

    Croatia XI: Livakovic; Vrsaljko, Caleta-Car, Vida, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Rebic, Perisic.

    Substitutes: Kalinic, Sluga, Brekalo, Vlasic, Budimir, Pasalic, Skoric, Badelj, Petkovic, Juranovic, Bradaric, Ivanusec

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    #bbcfootball

    John: Cue the 'why didn't he play (insert name here)'... messages

    Tom Sharpe: How has a player that has barely played for City this season, and barely done anything when he did, leaped ahead of the player who has been the best player in an England shirt every time he's played and been brilliant for Villa...

    Steve Rossiter: Someone please explain to me the purpose of playing a player out of position. What country in the world does it apart from us? Is Southgate tactically inept?? Not encouraging

  13. Team newspublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 13 June 2021
    Breaking

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    And here is how Croatia line up, led by the mercurial Luka Modric.

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  14. What are England's chances?published at 12:42 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Simon Gleave
    Head of sports analysis, Gracenote

    England flagsImage source, Reuters

    "With 97% chance of progressing to the knockout stage, England are one of the two most likely teams to be playing in the last 16, along with Spain.

    "Currently the England team are second favourites to win Euro 2020 behind Belgium with just under 14% chance of lifting the trophy in July.

    "Home advantage in a potential six matches has boosted England's chances as they are only ranked sixth best in Europe by our World Ranking. England have 67% chance of beating Croatia in their opening game and 87% chance of taking something from the game."

  15. 'It's going to be tough for England'published at 12:40 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Jermaine Jenas
    Ex-Tottenham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think it's going to be a tough afternoon I really do. I don't think England have any sort of rhythm in terms of a starting XI. To be sat here thinking we can go out here with the players we've got, they've hardly played together. We're very unsure about the players that will fit into that system.

    Croatia's midfield have been playing together for the best part of five to eight years. They know each other inside out and have been consistent in major tournaments for a number of years.

    On the flip side, England are a bit brand new. We're fresh which has pros and cons. If we're going to win this game it will be the depth we have in our ranks and that's what Gareth Southgate will lean on.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    #bbcfootball

    Stringbean: Trippier at left back for his set piece delivery, and no worries defensively because we all know Croatia can only score down their left

  17. Team newspublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 13 June 2021
    Breaking

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    Here is the England team to face Croatia.

    It looks like Kieran Trippier does indeed start at left-back.

    Jack Grealish is on the bench.

    England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Mings, Trippier, Rice, Phillips, Mount, Foden, Sterling, Kane

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  18. Postpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    The England team are out on the pitch surveying the scene.

    Selfies and videos for the 'Gram, Snapchat, TikTok etc etc is the first order of the day.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    #bbcfootball

    Hearing the rumours that Trippier will be starting at left back and if true then this would be the most England thing ever. No disrespect to Trippier but why would we shoehorn a player into a position where we already have two of the best left backs in the league last season?

    Tim

  20. Postpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 13 June 2021

    England v Croatia (14:00 BST)

    World in Motion alert at Wembley 🎶

    "Express yourself, it's one-on-one," would be the instruction I'd give to Jack Grealish...if he starts.