Croatia football

Netherlands 2-4 Croatia: Luka Modric shines in Nations League semi-final thriller as hosts beaten in extra-time Extra-time goals from Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric saw Croatia defeat the Netherlands in their Nations League semi-final. Andrej Kramaric and Mario Pasalic had turned the tie after Donyell Malen’s opener before Noa Lang 96th-minute equaliser Luka Modric sealed an extra-time win for Croatia as they upset hosts Netherlands to secure a thrilling 4-2 win in their Nations League semi-final. The Netherlands had scored a 96th-minute equaliser through Noa Lang to take the tie to extra-time before Bruno Petkovic restored Croatia's lead with a stunning goal. But it was fitting that Luka Modric, 37, had the final say from the spot after another age-defying masterclass. Player ratings Netherlands: Bijlow (6), Dumfries (5), Geertruida (6), Van Dijk (5), Ake (6), Wieffer (7), Koopmeiners (6), De Jong (6), Malen (7), Gakpo (5) Simons (6). Subs: Weghorst (5), Bergwijn (6), Wijnaldum (6), Lang (7), De Roon (6), Malacia (5). Croatia: Livakovic (7), Juranovic (7), Sutalo (7), Vida (7), Perisic (6), Modric (9), Brozovic (8), Kovacic (7), Pasalic (8), Kramaric (8), Ivanusec (8). Subs: Vlasic (6), Stanisic (6), Majer (7), Erlic (6), Petkovic (8), Barisic (n/a). Player of the match: Luka Modric. Image: Andrej Kramaric grabbed Croatia's equaliser from the penalty spot after Cody Gakpo fouled Luka Modric They took the lead in the 72nd minute when the tricky Luka Ivanusec engineered spa...

ROTTERDAM (Reuters) - Croatia scored twice in extra time to beat the Netherlands 4-2 in their Nations League semi-final in Rotterdam on Wednesday and advance to Sunday’s decider. Croatia will play either Italy or Spain, who face off in the second semi-final in Enschede on Thursday, for a first major title as they continued their form from last year’s World Cup in Qatar, where they finished third. Substitute Bruno Petkovic curled home a stunning shot from the edge of the penalty area eight minutes into extra time to put them on their way and Luka Modric made sure of Croatia’s triumph with a late penalty, their second of the game. The Dutch, hosting the four-nation tournament, had forced extra time with a last-gasp equaliser to ensure it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes despite being largely outplayed in front of their home fans at the Feyenoord Stadium. Donyell Malen handed the hosts a 34th-minute lead before Andrej Kramaric equalised from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half. Croatia then went ahead through Mario Pasalic in the 73rd minute before Noa Lang side-footed the ball into the roof of the net to equalise six minutes into stoppage time. The Netherlands’ first goal came against the run of play, but at the end of a swift series of passes that saw both quick feet and precise thinking. Cody Gakpo set it up by winning possession and five passes later, Mats Wieffer teed up an unmarked Malen to fire home. But it was the street-smarts of Croatia captain Mod...

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see The Croatia national football team ( Hrvatska nogometna reprezentacija) represents Vatreni ('Blazers') and Kockasti ('Checkered Ones'). Croatia Vatreni ('Blazers') Kockasti ('Checkered Ones') Association Confederation Head coach Most Luka Modrić (165) Top scorer CRO Second Current 7 (6 April 2023) Highest 3 (January 1999) Lowest 125 (March 1994) First international ( as FIFA member ( as modern Croatia (Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 17 October 1990) as FIFA member ( Biggest win ( Biggest defeat ( Appearances 6 ( first in Best result Runners-up ( Appearances 6 ( first in Best result Quarter-finals ( Appearances 1 ( first in Contents • 1 History • 1.1 Official formation • 1.2 Blažević period (1994–1999) • 1.3 Jozić, Barić and Kranjčar period (2000–2006) • 1.4 Bilić period (2006–2012) • 1.5 Štimac, Kovač and Čačić period (2012–2017) • 1.6 Dalić period (since 2017) • 2 Image • 2.1 Kits • 2.2 Supporters • 2.3 Charity • 3 Stadiums • 4 Rivalries • 5 Results and fixtures • 5.1 2022 • 5.2 2023 • 6 Coaching staff • 6.1 Coaching history • 7 Players • 7.1 Current squad • 7.2 Recent call-ups • 8 Individual record • 8.1 Most capped players • 8.2 Top goalscorers • 8.3 Most clean sheets • 9 Competitive record • 9.1 FIFA World Cup • 9.2 UEFA European Championship • 9.3 UEFA Nations League • 9.4 Other • 10 Head-to-head record • 11 FIFA ranking history • 12 Honours • 12.1 Major • 12.2 Minor • 13 See also • 14 Notes • 15 References • 16 Fur...

Croatia's World Cup 2022 results Croatia's mastery of the art of not losing finally failed them in the semi-finals in Qatar. Prior to their 3-0 loss to Argentina, four of their five games at the World Cup had ended level, including two goalless draws in the group stage and back-to-back shoot-out successes in the knockout phase. They cut loose in a 4-1 win against Canada, but their defensive rigour was their hallmark as they shocked the world by eliminating pre-tournament favourites Brazil. Zlatko Dalić's men saw off Morocco in a tight third-place play-off to claim bronze. 23 November: Morocco 0-0 Croatia 27 November: Croatia 4-1 Canada (Kramarić 36, 70, Livaja 44, Majer 90+4; Davies 2) 1 December: Croatia 0-0 Belgium Round of 16 5 December: Japan 1-1aet Croatia, Croatia won 3-1 on penalties (Maeda 43; Perišić 55) Quarter-final 9 December: Croatia 1-1aet Brazil, Croatia won 4-2 on penalties (Petković 117; Neymar 105+1) Semi-final 13 December: Argentina 3-0 Croatia (Messi 34p, Álvarez 39, 69) Third-place play-off 17 December: Croatia 2-1 Morocco (Gvardiol 7, Oršić 42; Dari 9) Highlights: Malta 1-7 Croatia Croatia's top scorer Andrej Kramarić (2 goals) Togetherness was the key to Croatia's World Cup successes, and they have scored only eight goals in the course of their seven games in Qatar. Four of those came in a 4-1 win against Canada in the group stage, with Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramarić getting two of them to become his side's only multiple scorer at the finals. Cro...

The first match of the Croatian national team, which then represented the state of Banovina Hrvatska, was played. On April 2nd, Croatia beat Switzerland in Zagreb 4:0. Representing Banovina Hrvatska and Nezavisna Država Hrvatska (The Independent State of Croatia), the Croatian national team played 19 matches, with nine wins, four draws and six defeats.

Summary • Nations League finals matches being played in the Netherlands • FT: Netherlands 2-4 Croatia - Malen opens scoring, Kramaric & Pasalic put Croatia in front, Lang levels to send game to extra time; Petkovic & Modric send visitors into final • Croatia will face Spain or Italy in Sunday's final

The Netherlands, hosting the four-nation tournament, had taken the lead through Donyell Malen’s goal on 34 minutes but were increasingly outplayed by Zlatko Dalic’s side. Kramaric equalised for them before Mario Pasalic’s volley deservedly Croatia eventually prevailed and will play either Italy or Spain, who meet in the second semi-final in Enschede on Thursday, in Sunday’s decider, seeking a first-ever major title.

A 96th-minute Dutch equaliser from Noa Lang had denied Croatia in normal time. But Zlatko Dalic's side will now play Italy or Spain in Sunday's final, while the Dutch face a third-place play-off. "It's a victory for the Croatian people, we beat the Netherlands in front of their fans, Croatia has one more medal," Dalic told Croatia's Nova TV afterwards. "It's impossible, unreal, but she deserves it. Surely this is a victory which will go down in history." Croatia had seemed destined for the final when Andrej Kramaric's penalty and a Mario Pasalic volley put them ahead after Donyell Malen's opener. But Lang's last-gasp hooked finish levelled the game at 2-2. Croatia, though, picked themselves up and Petkovic - introduced at the start of extra time - slammed a fine strike past the Netherlands keeper Justin Bijlow. Their victory was sealed by 37-year-old talisman Modric from the penalty spot with four minutes left, after he was felled by a clumsy Tyrell Malacia challenge. It means Croatia have reached just their second international final, following the 2018 World Cup where they were beaten 4-2 by France. "We have bronze and silver, let's go for gold so that we can finish this story," added Dalic. For the Dutch, their international trophy drought now extends to beyond 35 years - they have not won a major title since the 1988 European Championship. It also continues Ronald Koeman's inauspicious start to his second spell as the Netherlands manager, having lost 4-0 to France in a...