March 24, 2019 – Croatia and Hungary met in Budapest on Sunday for their second qualifier for the European Championship in 2020. Recall, Croatia defeated Azerbaijan in their first game 2:1 in Zagreb. Around 1,500 Croatian fans attended the Groupama Arena in Budapest for Sunday’s game.
Unlike in Croatia’s first game against Azerbaijan which was played on Thursday in Zagreb, Croatia’s composition looked a bit more familiar in Budapest. Namely, coach Zlatko Dalić could count on Tin Jedvaj in the defense, as well as Dejan Lovren who missed the first match due to a one-game suspension. Dalić also rested Marcelo Brozović in the first game, and only introduced Ante Rebić towards the end of the second half against Azerbaijan. This time around, these four players were part of the starting lineup.
Croatia started the game with possession and had their first chance already in the third minute from a Luka Modrić free kick. Lovren’s header, however, went over the goal. Perišić shot in the 5th minute but hit right at the Hungarian keeper. Just moments later, Barišić crossed to Kramarić who hit over the goal. Vida saved Hungary ’s chance from a free kick in the 7th minute.
Kalinić had to make a brilliant save in the 9th minute after Hungary capitalized on a quick counter down the right side. And then it happened in the 12th minute – Hungary’s defense fell apart after Modrić crossed the ball into the box. Kramarić got his foot on the cross which found the boot of Rebić who scored for 0:1!
Hungary threatened Croatia’s goal in the 19th minute, but the goal soared across the box without any problems.
The next ten minutes went without any real excitement and pretty boring play by both sides. After the 30th minute, Hungary picked up their game and seemed to be keeping possession more than Croatia. And then it happened for Hungary – in the 34th minute, they rushed down the right side and Szalai snuck past Vida to equalize for 1:1.
Croatia looked anything but the World Cup finalists we know in this first half, and spent the better part of 45 minutes trying to sort out their form… with what looked like a lot of confusion. It was a pretty painful first half that luckily ended 1:1.
The second half began with no changes for either side.
Croatia’s first real chance of the second half came in the 58th minute, though Perišić was unable to make anything of it. The game carried on uneventfully, forcing Dalić to sub Rebić for young star Brekalo in hope of some action.
Croatia started picking up their game in the 70th minute, with Brekalo making a run but failing to release a shot in time. But it was Hungary to get lucky, and they scored from a corner in the 75th minute. Hungary now led 2:1.
Vida had a chance in the 78th minute from a corner, though his header went way over the goal. Croatia was lucky that Hungary didn’t score again in the 80th minute, and the incredible effort of Kalinić and Rakitić saved the team from total embarrassment.
Croatia tried picking it up in the last 10 minutes, though Hungary also picked up their pace, making it anything but easy for Croatia to capitalize on their chances. The players were frustrated and tired, and it showed. Modrić had a chance in the final minutes but struck wide of the goal, and in the last minute, Croatia received a corner which left them empty-handed. The game ended 2:1 for Hungary.
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