England twice hit the woodwork as they failed to avenge their World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia, drawing a Nations League match played behind closed doors.

In an eerily quiet atmosphere, Eric Dier headed against a post in the first half, but the contest did not spark into life until after the break.

Marcus Rashford twice spurned glorious opportunities for the Three Lions, and Harry Kane headed against the crossbar.

Andrej Kramaric had two chances for the hosts but his finishing was just as wayward, ensuring Croatia remain behind leaders Spain and England in the group.

England's eerie night in Rijeka

From the sound of the high fives of England's players echoing around the stadium before kick-off to the distant voices of visiting supporters somewhere on a hill near the ground asking Jordan Pickford for a wave, this was a surreal evening on the Adriatic coast.

It was perhaps inevitable that a game played in such an artificial atmosphere took 45 minutes to get going - and to suggest it then became a thriller would be stretching credibility to breaking point.

As a one-off 90-minute experience it was fascinating as the sparse gallery listened to the constant cajoling of England goalkeeper Pickford, heard Jordan Henderson ask Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was he the referee in less than complimentary terms, and discover Gareth Southgate's squad have a distinctly unimaginative line in nicknames.

England, by far the noisier team, adjusted to these eerie surroundings better than the home side - denied their noisy, passionate support because of Uefa's disciplinary measures.

What it did prove, as if there were any doubts, is football is nothing without fans. Their absence robbed this occasion of its heart and soul. England will be glad to be back playing in front of supporters again when they face Spain in Seville on Monday.

Southgate's encouragement on surreal night

This was as far away from a World Cup semi-final in Moscow as it was possible to get - a packed, vast bowl of a stadium replaced by a barely populated arena with the peace only disturbed by the shouts of players and occasional polite applause.

England avoided defeat this time, but any comparisons between the two occasions are utterly futile.

Southgate can take some comfort, however, in the fact England adapted to these unusual surroundings better than Croatia and created by far the better chances.

Dier and Kane both headed against the woodwork - but it was a miserable night for Manchester United striker Rashford, who was guilty of two glaring misses, especially one when he shot tamely at the keeper when he was unmarked and seemed certain to score.

There was also a lively cameo on his debut from Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, the first player born in this millennium to play for England.

It was a night when definitive judgements were impossible - but there are plus points Southgate can take away.

More to follow.