England win gives African fans extra talking point

England defeated Croatia 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, 12 November 2026, to secure a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.

The match started with both teams creating opportunities, but England took the lead in the 24th minute through Morgan Rogers. The goal came after Harry Kane passed the ball to Jude Bellingham, who played it across the penalty area for Rogers to score.

England went into half-time with a 1-0 advantage. However, Croatia equalised in the 59th minute after England defender Jarell Quansah failed to clear a corner properly. Petar Sučić collected the loose ball and scored to make it 1-1.

England regained the lead five minutes later when referee Morten Krogh awarded a penalty following a VAR review. The decision came after Ivan Smolčić pulled Quansah inside the penalty area. England captain Harry Kane converted the penalty in the 64th minute to make it 2-1.

Croatia tried to find another equaliser, but England maintained their advantage until the final whistle. The victory confirmed England's place in the Nations League quarter-finals scheduled for March 2027.

The match was also important for Kane, who made his 126th appearance for England, becoming the country's most-capped men's player. His penalty was also his 92nd international goal.

Football has a large following across Africa, with many supporters regularly watching European leagues and international competitions. According to a GeoPoll survey published in November 2026, 79 per cent of respondents across five African countries expressed interest in football. Nigeria recorded 85 per cent, while Ghana had 90 per cent.

The English Premier League also has a strong following across the continent. A separate GeoPoll survey conducted in May 2026 found that 91 per cent of Nigerian respondents followed the competition.

English clubs and players have therefore attracted supporters from different African countries. International matches involving England also provide another opportunity for football fans to follow players they regularly watch at club level.

The England-Croatia encounter ended with England securing all three points and confirming their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.