Croatian football team beat Kosovo 6:0 in the second round match of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.
Croatia started its qualifying campaign with a Zagreb draw against Turkey (1:1), while the first victory was recorded on Thursday, October 6, 2016, away at Kosovo, despite Modrić, Rakitić, Lovren, and Pjaca missing out due to injuries.
The Vatreni took the lead after just six minutes when Kramarić played a perfect through ball towards Mandžukić, and the Juventus striker hit the target chipping the ball over Ujkani. In the 24th minute, Mandžukić doubled the lead scoring with his shoulder following Perišić’s perfect cross from the left.
Ten minutes before the break, Mandžukić completed his hat-trick with a header, with Vrsaljko this time assisting from the right. Mandžukić had two more great opportunities in the first half, while Subašić made two excellent saves from Celina and Zemeli.
Croatia’s fourth goal was scored by young defender Mitrović, a half-time substitute for Ćorluka, after Brozović’s assist. He was calm at the far post, volleying the ball over the Kosov goalkeeper.
Perišić made it 5:0 with a neat finish following Brozović’s through ball in the 83rd minute, while Nikola Kalinić wrapped things up in the final seconds of the match, scoring from Kovačić’s cross with a thundering shot from the edge of the box.
Ante Čačić’s men travel to Tampere today, where they will face hosts Finland on Sunday.
In the another two matches of Group I, Finland lost to Iceland 3:2, throwing away a 2:1 lead, while Turkey came back from two goals down to draw with Ukraine 2:2.
