England coach Tuchel pressured before Nations League match in Rijeka

In the half‑lit stadium of Rijeka, a tense silence hangs as the pitch is filled with about 8,200 schoolchildren and accompanying persons – an unusual setting for the Nations League duel of the “Three Lions”.

Pressure after defeat to Spain

Thomas Tuchel wants to collect more points in the Nations League, but the 2‑3 loss to Spain in the opener has increased the pressure on the German manager. The subsequent 2‑0 away win in the Czech Republic offered only a brief breathing pause.

After the win in Prague, the “Yellow Press” sharply criticised the team. The “Telegraph” wrote: “England finds its DNA: defensively incompetent”, a reference to Tuchel’s controversial comment after the World Cup exit against Argentina.

On Saturday at 18:00, England must secure second place behind the world champions in Rijeka. The match is to be played without regular fans, but the UEFA exemption rule allows a partial audience.

Kane leads England to victory in the Nations League

The Croatian association used the special permission after Croatian fans were spotted making Nazi gestures at a Nations League match against France in March 2025.

Lee Smith of Reuters reports that Trent Alexander‑Arnold, long overlooked by Tuchel, scored the opening goal in Prague, sparking further debate. In Rijeka, Jude Bellingham, who was only brought on as a substitute last time, could start from the beginning.

Kane reaches record tally for England in the Nations League

In the parallel match, Spain in Oviedo aims for a third win against the still winless Czechs, which makes the world champion’s progression to the quarter‑finals almost certain.