Croatia began their new Nations League campaign with a win, beating the Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0) in Prague in the opening round of Group 3 of the elite League A.
It was also a winning start for Slaven Bilić, who returned to the role of Croatia head coach, succeeding the trophy-laden Zlatko Dalić.
After a goalless first half, Croatia took the lead in the 47th minute when Luka Modrić scored his 30th goal for the national team.
The Czechs equalized seven minutes later, with Adam Karabec on target for 1-1. Croatia’s winning goal was scored by Marco Pašalić in the 77th minute, following a fine assist from Ivan Perišić.
Match report
Croatia’s indestructible captain Luka Modrić started the match, while Martin Baturina missed the game due to a virus. New Croatian talent Luka Vušković was also in the starting eleven, with Igor Matanović leading the attack.
The start of the match was fairly cautious on both sides, especially from the hosts. Croatia were the first to establish some authority on the pitch, and the first notable moment for the Czechs came in the 10th minute. Kovačić broke through a Czech line and set up Ivanović, whose shot was blocked. Three consecutive Croatian corners followed, but without any real chances.
The first big opportunity came in the 23rd minute, again after Kovačić launched a Croatian attack. The ball eventually reached Luka Sučić, who aimed for the far corner, but his shot flew just wide of the post.
The Czech players were largely harmless in attack, and even when they reached dangerous areas near the Croatian goal, they struggled to convert their approach play into real threats. Play remained largely in Croatia’s attacking half for the rest of the first half, with the best chance falling to Petar Sučić in the 42nd minute. A brilliant feint freed him from his marker, but his shot was saved by Czech goalkeeper Horniček, securing a 0-0 scoreline at the break.
Matanović also went close in the 45th minute with a long-range effort that passed just wide of the Czech goal.
Croatia took the lead immediately at the start of the second half. In the 46th minute, Matanović slid in to intercept a pass in the Czech defence. Modrić collected the loose ball, advanced to around 14 meters and finished into the far corner to put Croatia ahead. The Czechs created their first real chance in the 54th minute, and it paid off instantly with an equalizer. Hložek played the ball back into the Croatian box, and Karabec finished precisely to make it 1-1.
The two goals ignited the match, with the Czechs in particular looking energized and pushing forward with more purpose. Several dangerous moments followed at both ends, prompting Croatia coach Bilić to make his first substitutions, along with a change in formation — shifting to a back three, with Perišić moving further forward from a wing-back role.
In the 71st minute, the Czechs had a golden chance to turn the match around. Radosta received the ball in front of the Croatian goal but, in a one-on-one with Livaković, shot wide of the target.
Modrić was withdrawn in the 76th minute, replaced by Mišić, and just a minute later Croatia retook the lead. Perišić broke down the left and curled a superb cross into the Czech box. Marco Pašalić rose to head it home for 2-1.
This time Croatia’s lead lasted even less. Just two minutes later, with plenty of gaps in the Croatian defence, Radosta found the net to make it 2-2 — but the goal was disallowed for offside. The Czechs pushed unsuccessfully for an equalizer until the final whistle, with Croatia repelling every attack to secure all three points on the opening matchday of the Nations League.
Croatia’s best late chance fell to Budimir, who fired a shot in the 93rd minute, but Czech goalkeeper Horniček denied Croatia’s third goal.
In the next round, Croatia travel to Seville on September 29 to face reigning world champions Spain.
Two home matches follow: against England at Rujevica on October 3, and against Spain at Poljud on October 6.
