The Croatia national team played its first EURO 2020 preparatory match against Armenia in Velika Gorica.
Zlatko Dalic’s team will open the EURO against England at Wembley on June 13, before meeting the Czech Republic and Scotland in Glasgow on June 18 and 22.
Until London, Croatia will play another friendly match against Belgium on Sunday.
Lineups
Croatia: Livaković – Vrsaljko, Ćaleta-Car, Vida, Barišić – Modrić, Brozović – Brekalo, Vlašić, Perišić – Kramarić
Armenia: Jurčenko – Teterian, Voskanjan, Calisir, Hovhannisian – Babajan, A. Grigorian, Spertsian, Bajramian – Barsegian, Adamian
Croatia opened the match in control and had their first chance already in the 2nd minute when Perisic headed over the goal. Vlasic had another great chance for Croatia in the 10th minute but shot wide of the post.
After a few threatening plays by Armenia, Croatia took the lead thanks to a brilliant Perisic header off a Modric corner. Perisic not only scored for 1:0 Croatia – he scored on his 100th cap in the Croatia shirt!
Josip Brekalo had to come off the pitch due to injury in the 26th minute, with Mario Pasalic taking his place. Kramaric and Vida both had chances in the 10 minutes that followed, and perhaps the best chance of the match in the 42nd minute with Perisic missing from close range. Pasalic’s scissor kick hit the post to end the half.
Slobodan Kadic
The second half began with many changes. Vrsaljko, Modric, Vida and Vlasic came out at half time for Juranovic, Rebic, Skoric, Petkovic.
Rebic had an excellent chance to start the second half but shanked over the goal from 10 meters out. Rebic found Kramaric five minutes later who took a weak shot from in front of the goal.
Pasalic was in an excellent position to score two minutes later but decided to lay the ball off instead of shooting.
Badelj came on for Perisic in the 60th minute.
Armenia shocked Croatia with an equalizer in the 72nd minute – Wbeymar scored for 1:1! Livakovic saved Croatia from another Armenia goal in the 79th minute.
The match ended 1:1.
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