Croatia face the Czech Republic in Glasgow on Friday aiming to avoid a defeat in their second match of a major tournament for the first time in their history.
Zlatko Dalic's side lost 1-0 to England in their opening Euro 2020 match last weekend and face likely early elimination if results go against them in the second round of Group D games.
The omens are good for Croatia, though, having won six and drawn four of their 10 previous matchday two games at the European Championship and World Cup.
That includes a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Euro 2016, though three points will be the target for the 2018 World Cup runners-up in this latest meeting at Hampden Park.
An improvement will be required from Croatia following their loss to England, which made it eight defeats in their last 14 games.
"We have to do better in attack," Dalic said after the defeat at Wembley. "It won't be easy against the Czech Republic and Scotland, but I'm optimistic.
"Against Belgium and England we didn't win, but we weren't crushed. We need a win to give us confidence. One good win with one or two goals would really open us up."
Croatia could lose three games in a row for only the third time ever, also doing so in June 2006 and March 2021, and they come up against a Czech Republic side in good form.
Jaroslav Silhavy's charges beat Scotland 2-0 in Glasgow thanks to a Patrik Schick double and will be through to the last 16 if they beat Croatia, but the Czech head coach is anticipating a difficult test.
"They have players who like playing the ball, combine and build up attacks from the back," Silhavy said.
"If they have a good day, they will be very tough opponents for us. I still consider them among two favourites of our group and we are the third ones behind."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Croatia – Ante Rebic
A number of Croatia's big-name players failed to show up against England, but Rebic did at least look a threat at times. The Milan winger was the only Croatia player to have more than one shot, albeit failing to score from all three attempts.
Rebic has just three goals in 39 international appearances, scoring from one of his last 31 shots since netting against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, so an improvement will be required in front of goal.
Czech Republic – Patrik Schick
Schick's double against Scotland included an incredible strike from 49.7 yards, making it the longest-range goal recorded in all European Championship games going back to 1980.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward had five of his side's seven shots on target – the most a Czech Republic player has managed in a match at a major tournament. He has now been involved in 10 goals in his last nine starts for his country.
KEY OPTA FACTS
– The Czech Republic have never beaten Croatia (D2 L1). Their three previous meetings have produced 12 goals, an average of four per game.
– Croatia and the Czech Republic have met once previously at a major tournament – in the group stages of Euro 2016. The game ended 2-2, with the Czechs coming back from 2-0 down to secure their only point of the group phase.
– Croatia have not lost consecutive games at a European Championship tournament since 1996, with those losses coming against Portugal in Nottingham and Germany in Manchester.
– Just one of the Czech Republic's last 19 group-stage games at major tournaments has ended in a draw (W9 L9), with that coming against Croatia at Euro 2016.
– Including games as Czechoslovakia, only twice before have the Czechs won both of their opening two group-stage games at a major international tournament (World Cup 1990 and Euro 2004).
Napoli 0-1 Lazio: Isaksen the hero as Partenopei miss chance to return to Serie A summit
Napoli missed the chance to return to the Serie A summit following a 1-0 defeat by Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Partenopei were beaten for the second time in the space of four days by the Biancoceleste, who also prevailed 3-1 in their Coppa Italia last-16 clash at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
Marco Baroni's side were victorious once again as Gustav Isaksen struck a wonderful winner 11 minutes from time, moving them level on points with third-place Inter.
Scott McTominay and Isaksen went closed during the first half, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot narrowly wide just before the break.
Both sides struck the woodwork after the restart; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru hitting the crossbar from distance, while Frank Anguissa's header was denied by the post.
However, the visitors snatched all three points in the 79th minute. Tijjani Noslin - Thursday's hat-trick hero - found Isaksen, who rounded off a swift counter by curling a wonderful 20-yard effort beyond Alex Meret.
Data Debrief: Three is the magic number for Lazio
For the first time in their history, Lazio have won three consecutive Serie A matches away at Napoli.
Their sixth victory by a single-goal margin this term - more than any other team in the division - they have also scored a league-high 12 goals in the 75th minute or later.
Isaksen was the matchwinner with his third goal of the season, already matching his tally for the entire 2023-24 campaign.
Bompastor lauds 'brave' Chelsea in record-equalling Brighton win
Sonia Bompastor said she was displeased at the mistakes her Chelsea side made during their 4-2 win over Brighton in the Women's Super League on Sunday.
In the Blues' penultimate league fixture this year, they signed off at Kingsmeadow with a victory in an enthralling encounter with the Seagulls.
A brace from Sjoeke Nusken with further goals from Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd earned Chelsea all three points, with Jelena Cankovic and Kiko Seike on target for the visitors.
And Chelsea were worthy of their triumph, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 4.08 from their 31 shots compared to Brighton's 2.19 from their 18 efforts.
The Blues' win also saw them equal Arsenal's record from the 2018-19 campaign of winning each of their first nine WSL games of the season.
While only in the infancy of her tenure, Bompastor also broke a record set by the legendary Emma Hayes on Sunday.
The Frenchwoman has won 13 games in a row in all competitions, exceeding Hayes’ club record of 12 consecutive wins set during the 2021-22 season.
But, it was a hard-fought victory against a Brighton side who play a similar possession-based style. As a result, both sides gifted their opposition opportunities.
This was not overly concerning for Bompastor, however, saying she was encouraged by her side's resilience to stick to their game model.
"The two teams made some big mistakes today, especially in the build-up and trying to build from the backline and the keeper," Bompastor said.
"That's something that's going to happen when you have two coaches who have a philosophy that they want to build up.
"I prefer my team and my players to be confident enough and brave enough to try again, even if sometimes you can be in that position when you lose some balls.
"Sometimes it's about making a better decision, executing more quickly, scanning better, controlling - so, a lot of small details that are really important at the high level.
"The best teams are the ones who make the least mistakes. You will always have mistakes in the game, and I want my players to be brave enough to try again."
But hot on Chelsea's heels are Manchester City, who also emerged 4-0 victors on Sunday, beating Leicester City thanks to an inspired display from Khadija Shaw.
Shaw netted the Citizens' first two goals of the game in the first half, with Jessica Park and Mary Fowler on target after the break for the hosts.
Shaw raised her overall tally at the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring chart to 88 after 98 matches in all competitions and represented her 13th strike in 14 appearances this term.
And Taylor highlighted Shaw's importance on and off the ball for his side during their win over the Foxes, labelling her a "complete" striker.
"I’d like to say I’ve helped her in that space, but I think that’s all down to Bunny," Taylor said.
"She arrives in the right moment. They were quite different in the sense that the first one she puts back where it comes almost and makes it difficult for the keeper and I think she controlled it well from Kerstin’s cross.
"The one from Leila is a little more where she gets across her defender and attacks it with power. For me, she’s a very complete striker, Bunny.
"I’ve mentioned more recently about what she gives us without her goals. Her goals are the cherry on the cake with so many opportunities to score.
"She backs that up with the numbers. The work she does without the ball is great, and it allows us to dominate."
'It's been an amazing ride' - former Man Utd and Portugal star Nani retires
Former Manchester United and Portugal star Nani has announced his retirement from football at the age of 38.
The ex-winger brings the curtain down on a decorated career, which began at Sporting CP, where he would enjoy three separate spells.
Nani's most successful period came during his eight-year stint with Man Utd, with whom he won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
He was also part of the Portugal side that won Euro 2016, captaining the side during the final victory over France following Cristiano Ronaldo's early withdrawal through injury.
Nani made 112 international appearances between 2006 and 2017 - making him the Selecao's fifth most-capped player, while he represented them at five major tournaments.
His club career was played across seven different countries - having also turning out for the likes of Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City and Melbourne Victory, before finishing his career with a short stint at Primeira Liga side Estrela Amadora.
"The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player," he posted on his social media channels.
"It's been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories.
"Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams."
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