An eerie night
The atmosphere is not easy for anybody. 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.
Zlatko Dalic Croatia manager
"Football without fans is nothing," Celtic's European Cup-winning manager Jock Stein famously opined many years ago.
If a reminder of Stein's comment was required, it came during England's 0-0 draw in Croatia, that did neither side's chances of progressing in the Nations League much good.
A goalless draw was fitting of an empty experience with supporters shut out of the 8,000 capacity HNK Rijeka stadium, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Croatia were completing a UEFA sanction to play two matches behind closed doors after a swastika symbol was carved into the pitch during a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy over three years ago.
However, amid the eeriness of hearing players shake hands before kick-off and shout instructions during the game, the question was raised whether the punishment fits the crime.
"The atmosphere is not easy for anybody, it is sad for football but hopefully this is our last time," said Croatia manager Zlatko 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."
"I could hear the noise," said England boss Gareth Southgate. "It is a shame for the supporters, some of whom haven't missed a game for 10 years or more."
Reversing fixtures so the perpetrators are punished with losing home advantage or even moving games to a neutral venue have been offered as alternative solutions.
LUKAKU LEADS BELGIUM
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku struck twice as Belgium maintained their strong start to the Nations League with a battling 2-1 win over Switzerland on Friday.
When Lukaku found the net with an angled drive on 58 minutes, it looked like Roberto Martinez's men would be giving French World Cup winner Thierry Henry a winning send-off in his final match as Belgium assistant coach ahead of an imminent move to Monaco.
The World Cup semifinalists took their eye off the ball on 76 minutes, and the King Baudoin Stadium was stunned when Mario Gavranovic poked the ball past Thibaut Courtois from close range in after the Real Madrid 'keeper had been drawn by Nico Elvedi heading Xherdan Shaqiri's floated cross back into play.
But in a busy final period that saw the hosts turn the throttle Lukaku had his second six minutes from time.
Belgium's second win of the fledgling tournament keeps them flying high in League A Group 2 following an opening 3-0 win in Iceland.
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