The Croatia national football team is in action in Orlando against Colombia as part of the Road to 26 tournament, with Zlatko Dalić’s side facing a demanding schedule in Florida. Croatia will also take on Brazil in the same venue.
Lineups
Croatia: Livaković – Erlić, Vušković, Pongračić – Marco Pašalić, Moro, P. Sučić, Perišić – Mario Pašalić, Vlašić – Matanović
Colombia: Vargas – Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica – Rios, Lerma – James Rodriguez, Arias, Diaz – Suarez
Match report
Colombia struck early and caught Croatia off guard in just the second minute. A move down the left saw Mojica deliver a cross into the box, which Suárez cleverly flicked on. Jhon Arias reacted quickest, finishing from close range to give Colombia an immediate 1–0 advantage.
Croatia responded almost instantly. In the sixth minute, Luka Vušković found space centrally and unleashed a long-range effort from over 25 meters. The shot took a deflection off Lucumí and bounced in off the post, leveling the score and marking Vušković’s first goal for the national team. With that goal, Vušković also made Croatian football history. At exactly 19 years, one month, and three days old, he became the second youngest goalscorer in the history of the national team. He overtook Ivan Rakitić, who scored his first goal for Croatia at 19 years, six months, and two days.
From that point on, the game remained open, with both sides creating chances. Colombia came close to regaining the lead in the 29th minute in what was the biggest miss of the half. James Rodríguez released Díaz, who squared the ball to Suárez in front of an open goal, but the striker failed to convert from close range. Arias attempted to make amends from a tight angle, but could only find the side netting.
Colombia continued to threaten, particularly through Luis Díaz, who tested Croatia’s defence on multiple occasions. In the 34th minute, Díaz cut inside and fired towards goal, but Dominik Livaković produced an excellent save, tipping the ball away with help from a defensive block. Moments later, Rodríguez also tried his luck, but Livaković was again equal to the effort.
Croatia grew into the game as the half progressed and completed the turnaround in the 42nd minute. After winning a corner, Marco Pašalić delivered the ball into the box, where Colombia’s goalkeeper misjudged the flight. Igor Matanović capitalized, heading home to make it 2–1. Croatia went into the break with a narrow lead.
Dalić made immediate changes at the break, introducing Petar Musa and Josip Stanišić for Matanović and Ivan Perišić. Further adjustments followed in the 61st minute, with Luka Sučić and Martin Baturina replacing Petar Sučić and Nikola Vlašić, shifting Croatia’s midfield dynamic and bringing more control in possession.
The second half saw Croatia manage the game while still posing a threat. Petar Musa came closest to extending the lead, striking the crossbar in the 61st minute and hitting the post again five minutes later with a volley.
Colombia pushed for an equalizer, with Córdoba appealing for a penalty in the 80th minute, but the referee waved play on. Livaković remained solid, recovering from a shaky moment to deny Davinson Sánchez with a key save.
Dalić continued rotating his squad throughout the second half, introducing Luka Modrić, Andrej Kramarić, Kristijan Jakić, and Toni Fruk as Croatia saw out the match with composure and a 2-1 win.
Next up is Brazil!
