Photo by Slobodan Kadic
October 12, 2023 – An unmemorable debut for Croatia at Opus Arena in Osijek, as Turkey takes 3 points to move to the top of Group D in the EURO 2024 qualifiers.
The sold-out Opus Arena hosted tonight’s EURO 2024 qualifying match between Croatia and Turkey. It was Croatia’s first match ever at the new Osijek stadium.
Croatia and Turkey have a rich football history. Up until tonight, they had played 12 matches since Croatia’s independence. Until this match, Croatia had four victories and four draws, while Turkey won twice. It is interesting to note that Croatia had also never beaten Turkey at home, and all three games ended in a draw at Maksimir (2004, 2011, 2016).
Going into this match, Croatia and Turkey shared 10 points, while Turkey has played one more match than Croatia in Group D. The top two teams in each group directly qualify for the Euros in Germany next summer. Finishing first in the group, however, brings a much better draw, which is held in December this year.
Lineups
CROATIA: Livaković – Stanišić, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Barišić – Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić – Pašalić, Musa, Brekalo
TURKEY: Cakir – Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu – Çalhanoğlu, Ozcan, Kokcu – Kahveci, Tosun, Aktürkoglu
Match Report
Turkey had their first chance already in the 2nd minute of the match, which Livakovic hit out for a corner. Gvardiol cleared the ball, and Croatia moved into Turkey’s half.
Gvardiol brilliantly stopped a Turkey counterattack in the 5th minute, too
Croatia had their first corner kick in the 7th minute, which went out for a goal kick. In the next play, a Turkey counterattack resulted in another shot on goal and another Livakovic save, which went out for a corner.
A quick attack for Croatia in the 10th minute saw Pasalic get a shot off, but it was blocked by the Turkey defense.
And then another chance for Turkey in the 12th minute, one-on-one with Livakovic. And another corner for the visiting team.
Gvardiol saved yet another Turkey chance in the 18th minute, which went out for a Turkey corner – the 4th so far.
Croatia had their second corner in the 20th minute. A Modric-Kova exchange was Croatia’s best chance so far in the 21st minute.
Croatia struggled in the first 30 minutes, oftentimes failing to be first to the ball or giving the ball away to the other team. And that killed them in the 29th minute. Croatia lost the ball in Turkey’s half. A quick long ball found Barış Alper Yılmaz, who took advantage of Livakovic off his line to score for 0-1 Turkey in the 30th minute.
Mistake after mistake – this wasn’t the Croatia we were used to watching. No attack, no creativity, no chances. Giveaways and unable to connect passes. Croatia was lucky they weren’t losing by more than a goal.
One promising attack for Croatia came just before halftime, with Brekalo’s shot hitting the near post. But the game went into halftime with Turkey ahead.
Two attacks for Croatia in the first three minutes, two more lost balls. Croatia picked up the intensity slightly but still struggled to get a shot off.
And it was almost 2-0 for Turkey in the 53rd minute as Yilmaz shot just over the crossbar. Croatia continuously failed to close Turkey down.
Majer came on for Pasalic, Petkovic for Musa, and Vlasic for Brekalo in the 62nd minute.
A nice play between Modric and Majer found Kovacic in the 65th minute, but his shot was blocked by the Turkey defense.
Croatia was playing in Turkey’s half and beginning to create opportunities. The fresh legs helped. Majer brilliantly played Petkovic for a great chance on goal, but Petkovic shot wide.
A bit more calm and collected than in the first half, Croatia was connecting passes and looked a bit better. But still – the chances were few and far between.
Sosa went on for Barisic and Beljo for Kovacic in the 80th minute.
Beljo had a chance in the 81st minute, which was saved by the Turkey keeper. And another Beljo shot hit near post in the 87th minute, which went out for a corner.
It looked like Croatia’s saving grace came in the 89th minute with a potential handball in the box. The ref immediately called for a penalty, then consulted VAR which decided otherwise. Five minutes of stoppage time were added.
A tough loss for Croatia tonight, and much for Dalic to figure out before Sunday. Croatia and Wales meet on Sunday in Cardiff at 20:45.
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