Photo by Slobodan Kadic
June 3, 2024 – Croatia beats North Macedonia 3-0 in a friendly match in Rijeka on Monday as part of their EURO 2024 preparations.
Croatia played their first preparatory match against North Macedonia at Rujevica stadium in Rijeka on Monday ahead of the European Championships, which begin on June 14 in Germany.
Zlatko Dalić announced before the match that he would use 17 players against North Macedonia, and more minutes were expected for those who joined the first day of preparations. Nikola Vlašić would not compete because he did not want to risk worsening his injury.
National team captain Luka Modrić, who will join the national team on Tuesday, and Mario Pašalić and Marcelo Brozović, who arrived in Rijeka on Monday, were not available to the coach.
Lineups
CROATIA: Livaković – Juranović, Erlić, Vida, Sosa – Kovačić, Majer – Kramarić, Baturina, Perišić – Petković
NORTH MACEDONIA: Dimitrievski – Zajkov, Velkovski, Musliu – Ashkovski, Atanasov, Alimi, Elmas, Alioski – Miovski, Trajkovski
Match report
At the start of the match, the crowd chanted “Vukovar, Vukovar”, which certainly motivated Croatia — they scored their first goal 10 minutes later. Lovro Majer nailed a stunning free kick with his left foot from about 25 meters out, finishing into the near post for 1-0 Croatia.
North Macedonia had a few counter attacks, but nothing dangerous enough to threaten Croatia’s goal. Kovačić shot over the goal and Kramarić almost had a few chances, but nothing found the back of the net again until the 45th minute.
It was Majer to score again, this time, after a great combination with Petković, who backheeled to Majer in front of the goal to score for 2-0.
Dalić made subs throughout the second half. Sučić replaced Kovačić in the 46th minute, Ivanušec replaced Kramarić in the 55th, Budimir came on for Petković and Pjaca for Perišić in the 58th. Marco Pašalić entered for Baturina and Pongracić for Erlić in the 60th.
In the 80th minute, we saw another goal for Croatia. Budimir headed towards the goal, Dimitrievski deflected it, but it went straight to Marco Pašalić, who knocked the ball into the goal for 3-0.
The game ended 3-0 for Croatia.
Croatia will play Portugal on Saturday, June 8 at 18:45, which will be their last test before the Euros.
