Croatia had everything, but after Modrić’s injury, the team lost its rhythm and lost it all after the flares were thrown onto the pitch by Croatian fans.
Croatia played the perfect hour of football in Saint-Etienne on June 17.2016, but after Luka Modrić’s departure due to injury, the Czech team came back from two goals down to get the draw at the end. Apart from the play itself, there was a suspension of play for four minutes at the end, as flares and firecrackers were thrown onto the pitch from the part of the stadium with Croatian fans.
The game started perfectly for the Croatian team, which put enormous pressure on the Czech defence, and when Ivan Perišić scored after a perfect solo run in the 37th minute of the game, everything looked good. The Czech team had not had a single shot until that time.
In the second half, Croatia continued with great rhythm and xcored another in the 59th minute, after a big mistake by the Czech defence. Brozović set up a chance for Ivan Rakitić, who scored in the stye of his club team-mate Leo Messi, chipping the ball over Peter Cech.
Unfortunately for Croatia, Luka Modrić felt pain and was unable to continue the game. He was replaced by Mateo Kovačić, and the Croatian team lost its harmony after that. The Czech team started to play with the ball more comfortably, and with 76 minutes on the clock, Tomaš Rosicky set up a cross for Milan Škoda, who headed the ball to the top left corner of the Croatian goal.
Croatia lost its pace at the moment and lost its momentum altogether after the suspension of play caused by hot-headed people among the Croatian fans. In the third minute of stoppage time, Domagoj Vida handled the ball in the box, and English referee Mark Clattenburg whistled for a penalty. Tomaš Necid was confident and blasted the ball into Danijel Subašić’s net.
Croatia has a good chance to go through to the playoff stage, as even the four points could be enough for qualification, and particularly since they have one more match to play. There is a question of a possible fine by UEFA for Croatian, due to the suspension of the play caused by Croatian fans.
TCN will follow the matter, in the morning, we will bring you the player’s reactions and analysis of the team.
