Photo by Slobodan Kadic
June 14, 2023 – With an extra-time finish, Croatia beat the Netherlands (5-2) for a spot in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday in Rotterdam!
The Croatia national team met the Netherlands at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam on Wednesday in the first UEFA Nations League semi-final. Spain and Italy will play in the second semi-final on Thursday in Enschede.
Croatia fans flooded the squares of Rotterdam before the match, with more than 15,000 expected at the match. The city center was decorated in red and white checkers with a full bar takeover as fans geared up for tonight’s match. And what an atmosphere they created for this crucial semi-final, as Croatia has a chance to win their first gold medal.
Lineups
Netherlands: Bijlow, Dumfries, Van Dijk, Geertruida, Ake, Wieffer, Koopmeiners, De Jong, Malen, Simons, Gakpo
Croatia: Livaković, Juranović, Šutalo, Vida, Perišić, Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić, Ivanušec, Pašalić, Kramarić
Match report
Croatia was calm and collected to start the match, controlling the play from the start. Their first corner was already in the 2nd minute.
A dangerous attack from the Netherlands in the 8th minute as Kovacic lost the ball just outside the box. It went out for the Netherlands’ first corner but Modric was there to clear it out.
A good attacking play from Croatia found Perisic alone on the left wing in the 14th minute. The ball went out for Croatia’s second corner.
Kovacic was shown a yellow card in the 16th minute. Livakovic was forced to make a save a minute later.
Kramaric was brilliant in the 22nd minute, faking out the defense near to goal line to go out for another Croatia corner. A high kick by Pasalic into Aka’s head resulted in a yellow card and Luka’s goal was called offside in the same play.
Another dangerous Croatia attack in the 27th minute resulted in another corner after Juranovic’s cross into the box was deflected. And then another corner for Croatia in the 30th. Kramaric’s loft went just over the goal.
Koopmeiners retaliated with a rocket over Livakovic’s goal in the next play.
And it was the Netherlands to capitalize on their chances first. A quick attack and a confused Croatia defense, Malen was left alone to score far left post. It was 1-0 for the Netherlands in the 34th minute.
Croatia picked up the intensity in the next two minutes with Kovacic dribbling up into the box to fire off the perfect ball across the penalty area, but no one was there.
One minute of stoppage time was added.
The second half started without any changes. Persic worked up the left wing and crossed into the keeper in the 47th minute.
Croatia brilliantly attacked a minute later, with Luka launching a classic outside-of-the-boot ball to Kramaric on the left wing. Krama’s shot missed the goal.
But Croatia had their chance in the 53rd minute after Luka was fouled in the box and the ref called a penalty for Croatia. Kramaric scored from the penalty spot for 1-1!
The Netherlands almost took the lead again in the 56th minute but Wieffer shot over the goal.
Brozovic was shown a yellow card in the 63rd minute.
Luka’s shot in the 70th minute was deflected for a corner. Perisic’s shot went just wide of the goal. But Croatia made it happen in the next play. Perisic found Ivanusec who played Pasalic to score for the Croatia lead! It was 1-2 Croatia in the 73rd minute.
Dalic made his first subs in the 78th minute. Ivanusec came out for Vlasic and Juranovic went off for Stanisic.
Livakovi was forced to punch the ball out in the 79th minute, and otherwise, Croatia’s defense was solid, but the Netherlands was certainly putting on the pressure.
Vlasic had a great chance on goal in the 84th minute, but his shot went just wide. Dalic made his second sub – Kovacic came out for Majer.
The Netherlands had a dangerous free kick outside the box with four minutes to go, but Livakovic punched out the play.
Six minutes of extra time were added, and a Netherlands equalizer was never closer. But Croatia held their own… that is until the final seconds. Lang equalized for 2-2, and the match went to extra time.
Dalic subbed on Erlic for Sutalo and Petkovic for Kramaric to start extra time.
Croatia had their first extra-time corner in the 94th minute. Vida’s header missed the goal.
But Petkovic came out to play. Luka found him at the top of the box, he brilliantly turned on the defender and shot near post for the Croatia lead! It was 2-3 in the 99th minute.
It was almost an own goal for the Netherlands two minutes later, but another corner kick for Croatia instead.
Croatia was not sitting back this time and kept up the intensity.
One minute of stoppage time was added to the first half, and the Netherlands had a corner, which was cleared by Croatia.
The second half started without any changes for Croatia.
The most dangerous chance for the Netherlands happened in the 110th minute when Lang hit the side of the net.
Pasalic hit the crossbar in the 115th minute and Croatia continued to press the Netherlands defense. And a foul on Petkovic in the box resulted in another penalty for Croatia, which Luka scored for 2-4!
Luka was subbed off for Barisic in the 119th minute. There was no hope for the Netherlands now, and Croatia wasn’t done yet. A brilliant play between Vlasic, Perisic, and Petkovic resulted in another goal, but it was not counted. The final result was 2-4 for Croatia!
Croatia will play in the final on June 18 in Rotterdam at 20:45. The Netherlands will play in the match for third place on the same day in Enschede at 15:00.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
