Luka Vuskovic is preparing for a highly anticipated Nations League encounter between Croatia and England, set to take place on Saturday in the Croatian port city of Rijeka. The 19-year-old Brighton centre-back described the fixture as a "big fight" and acknowledged the intensity of the longstanding rivalry between the two national teams.
Reflecting on the significance of games against England, Vuskovic said he personally does not yet feel the full weight of the rivalry but recognized that more experienced players might have a stronger perspective. "Every game against England is tough," he added, noting the strength of the English squad led by captain Harry Kane.
The rivalry between England and Croatia has produced several notable moments over the past two decades. Croatia’s 3-2 victory at Wembley in 2007 denied England a spot at Euro 2008, while their comeback win against Gareth Southgate’s team in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia was another painful chapter for the English. Nevertheless, England has claimed some recent successes, including a 1-0 win in the opening match of Euro 2020 and a 4-2 victory over Croatia at last summer’s World Cup.
Vuskovic recalled the 2022 World Cup quarter-final encounter, a match where he struggled against Harry Kane during England’s winning performance. The Brighton defender, who featured in a three-man defence that day, admitted it was not his best outing but emphasized that the teams will deploy different tactics in the upcoming game. “We will do a thorough analysis of that match and aim to play better and go for a better result,” he said.
Since joining Brighton from Tottenham Hotspur for £50 million this summer, Vuskovic has been a key figure in the Seagulls’ strong start to the 2026-27 Premier League campaign. He played a crucial role in a 3-0 clean-sheet victory over Arsenal just before the international break, helping Brighton secure a spot in the league’s top four. By contrast, Tottenham remains winless and sits at the bottom of the table in 20th place.
On whether his move to Brighton has proven to be the right choice, Vuskovic stated, “It was the correct decision regardless of results. From the first day, I felt really good with the team, the coach and the staff.” The young defender’s confidence appears well placed as Brighton continue to impress both domestically and on the international stage.