Croatia and Scotland met in the decisive Group D match for a spot in the EURO 2020 round of 16. The two nations met at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Tuesday night.
Both teams entered the match with one point. Croatia drew 1:1 against the Czech Republic and lost to England 1:0. Scotland drew 0:0 with England and lost to the Czech Republic 2:0. Both teams could make the round of 16 only with a victory, and if the match ended in a draw, both Croatia and Scotland would be eliminated.
About 11,500 fans were in the Hampden Park stands, and maybe 100 or so Croatia fans expected.
Lineups
SCOTLAND: Marshall – McTominay, Hanely, Tierney – O’Donnell, McGregor, Armstrong, Robertson – McGinn – Adams, Dykes.
CROATIA: Livaković – Juranović, Lovren, Vida, Gavrdiol – Brozović, Kovačić – Vlašić, Modrić, Perišić – Petković.
Coach Zlatko Dalić thus left Kalinic, Sluga, Vrsaljko, Barisic, Caleta-Car, Brekalo, Kramaric, Budimir, Pasalic, Rebic, Badelj, and Ivanusec on the Croatia bench.
The game started promptly at 20:00 GMT. Scotland received a corner kick in the first few seconds of the match.
Croatia had their first attacking play in the 3rd minute thanks to Juranovic, Vlasic, and Modric moving up the right-wing. Petkovic received the ball in the offside position.
A cross from Robertson into the box found McGinn for a close encounter in the 6th minute which Livakovic saved from a goal.
Juranovic, Vlasic, and Modric attacked again in the 8th minute. Adams retaliated with a shot on goal moments later.
Scotland was dangerous again in the 12th minute which Livakovic cleared. They shot right at Livakovic for an easy save one minute later.
But a former Hajduk combination eased Croatia’s nerves. Juranovic and Perisic found Vlasic who scored for 1:0 Croatia in the 17th minute!
Modric nailed a rocket at the Scotland goal in the 21st minute which touched the fingertips of the keeper but the ref called a goal kick.
A shaky and slippery Croatia defense nearly saw Scotland score three times in the 23rd minute, but Livakovic kept the result at 1:0.
Croatia possessed the game for the remainder of the half. Gvardiol launched a play up the left to Perisic and Juranovic who shot over the goal in the 37th minute. It’s safe to say Croatia was looking far better than the first two games. Another Croatia attack moments later saw Perisic shoot over the goal.
But Scotland came back with the equalizer after a quick counter and mishap in the Croatia defense. Livakovic could not save the day here – it was 1:1 in the 42nd minute.
The match ended 1:1 at the half.
Dalic went into the second half with no changes to the lineup.
A Croatia attack saw Josko Gvardiol and the Scotland keeper collide in the 49th minute. Croatia had their first corner of the second half in the 53rd minute.
Croatia had a brilliant chance in the 55th minute, but Modric played Perisic offside which Marshall saved in the end.
A Scotland ball to the far post almost found McGinn for the Scotland lead but Croatia was lucky to keep it 1:1.
Croatia went back into the lead thanks to their faithful leader. Luka Modric scored with a classic outside of the boot shot for 2:1 Croatia in the 62nd minute!
Slobodan Kadic
Dalic subbed off Petkovic for Kramaric in the 69th minute. Barasic went on for Gvardiol in the 70th.
Kovacic shot at the keeper in the 74th minute but Croatia continued to attack.
Vlasic came out for Luka Ivanusec in the 75th minute.
A sequence of two Croatia corners brought incredible luck. Modric crossed into the box which touched the top of Perisic’s head for 3:1 Croatia in the 77th minute!!
Slobodan Kadic
A Croatia corner in the final minute of regulation time was played short to Kramaric. The ref added 4 minutes to the end of the game.
Slobodan Kadic
A Scotland corner in the final two minutes was unsuccessful. Croatia finished 2nd in Group D for a spot in the round of 16!!!!!!
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