Staff Reporter.
Croatia’s Euro 2020 preparations continued with a frustrating draw in a friendly at home to Armenia.
Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic headed in a first-half opener for Croatia, who will play in Group D with England, Scotland and the Czech Republic.
But the 2018 World Cup runners-up were held by an Armenia side ranked 90th in the world as substitute Wbeymar Angulo equalised late on in Velika Gorica.
Croatia’s Euro 2020 opener is against England at Wembley on 13 June.
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic was not included after playing in the Champions League final but Perisic, who has just helped Inter win their first Serie A title since 2010, marked his 100th international appearance for Croatia with his 28th goal, scoring from a Luka Modric cross.
The Real Madrid midfielder, Croatia’s most-capped player with 137, was among four players to be replaced at half-time, with AC Milan forward Ante Rebic and Atalanta midfielder Mario Pasalic used off the bench.
And the hosts were denied a third straight victory, after World Cup qualifying wins over Cyprus and Malta in March, as Colombia-born midfielder Angulo levelled with a fine strike from just outside the box.
Croatia play Belgium, the world’s top-ranked team, in their final Euro 2020 warm-up game in Brussels on Sunday (19:45 BST).
Meanwhile North Macedonia, who are making their debut on the big stage and are in Group C alongside Netherlands, Austria and Ukraine were denied a win against Slovenia after dominating the contest.
Elsewhere Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named in England’s 26-man squad for this summer’s European Championship.
Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold, 22, is one of four right-backs, while injured duo Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are both included.
Boss Gareth Southgate had to cut seven players from his provisional list.
Mason Greenwood withdrew through injury with Jesse Lingard, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Ben Godfrey, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins all left out.
The final squad means there will be no debutants for the tournament, which starts next week.
Southgate said: “I think every squad [selection] is difficult because we have a lot of talented players in this country.
“The most difficult thing [this time] is not being able to take players who have been with us in previous matches and are such good professionals, so I know what a disappointment it is for them, at the moment, not to be going to a major championship.”
Alexander-Arnold makes the cut as he looks to add to his 12 caps, the last of which came against Belgium in the Nations League last October.
Alexander-Arnold has missed the past seven internationals but will contest a starting place with Chelsea’s Champions League winner Reece James, Kieran Trippier, who won La Liga with Atletico Madrid, and Manchester City’s Premier League champion Kyle Walker.
Liverpool skipper Henderson has been out of action since February with a groin injury while United captain Maguire missed the last four league games of the season and the Europa League final following ankle ligament damage.
Southgate added: “The most complex part has been those injuries and whether we should take the chance on people – players like Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire not being quite where they normally are.
“With the experience that they have, we think we can get them to a point where they have an involvement in the tournament and it’s worth taking them – especially as we have an extended squad of 26.”
England’s 26-man squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).