Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic desperately need a favour from three Man City teammates tonight

The Croatian duo of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will tune into England’s upcoming clash with Slovenia with their hearts in their mouths.

Croatia looked like they were heading towards the Round of 16 in Euro 2024, courtesy of a Luka Modric strike in the 55 minute on Monday night. But Italy’s Mattia Zaggacni broke Croatian hearts across the world with a 98th-minute equaliser as the game finished 1-1.

Zlatko Dalic side’s hopes of quality for the knockout rounds hang by a threat after ending up with just two points in Group B.

What Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will be praying England to do against Slovenia

Spain and Italy have qualified for the last-16, with the former winning every game and the latter accumulating four points.

For Croatia to qualify for the knockout rounds, they will require various results to go their way. Four out of the six third-placed teams from every group can reach the Round of 16.

The Croatians are currently in fifth place in the standings, with Slovenia — sitting in fourth place, also having two points on the board but with one game to go and a superior goal difference (zero, while Croatia’s is minus three).

As a result, Gvardiol and Kovacic will be hoping that the likes of Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker can help England defeat Slovenia by a three-goal margin or more.

The Three Lions have faced the Slovenians on six occasions, winning five and drawing one game.

However, the English have never beaten Slovenia by a three-goal margin in any of their previous meetings.

Gvardiol and Kovacic will be hoping Foden, Stones and Walker can do them a favour on Tuesday night — with their objective being to go as far as possible at the ongoing European Championship.

Even if Foden, Stones and Walker deliver, it might not be enough for Croatia

However, the Manchester City pairing is not just relying on Gareth Southgate’s side and their City teammates to hand them a lifeline at the tournament.

Foden, Stones and Walker are the kind of players who have shown time and again that they are capable of turning up when all eyes are on them.

But even if England beat Slovenia by three or more goals, Czechia pose a threat to Croatia’s chances of qualifying for the Round of 16.

Ivan Hasek’s side is currently sitting in sixth place in the standings including all the third-placed teams at Euro 2024.

Czechia only have one point from two games, with a goal difference of minus one.

But if Hasek and Co. either beat Türkiye or earn a draw, even if Slovenia lose to England by three or more goals — they could qualify amongst the four best third-placed teams in the last-16.

However, if Türkiye defeated Czechia, they would no longer pose a threat to Gvardiol and Kovacic’s qualification dreams.

Similarly, if Georgia were to beat or draw against Portugal, Croatia’s chances of qualifying could be at risk — since they have the same points (two) with a better goal difference of minus two.

As a result, Gvardiol and Kovacic are not just relying on Foden, Stones and Walker but several other players and teams now that their destiny is out of their hands.