La Croatie se qualifie en finale de la Ligue des nations après une victoire sur les Pays-Bas en prolongation (2-4)

Incredible Croatia! Third place in the last World Cup, Zlatko Dalić’s men emerged victorious on the field of the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Nations League after extra time (2-4) and now await Italy or Spain in the final.

After the group stages ended this autumn, the Nations League was back with the Final Four played in the Netherlands. Before the second semi-final between Spain and Italy, it was the Dutch and the Croats who met in Rotterdam.

On paper, the match looked enticing, but it didn’t really capture the attention of the spectators at the start of the game. During the first half-hour, neither team created a real opportunity, the game was sterile, choppy, and closed. The breakthrough eventually came from the feet of the Dutch, who managed to open the scoring thanks to Donyell Moudre after a beautiful collective action (34th minute). This goal was even the only shot on target in the first half, a sign of an uninspiring encounter.

As soon as they came back from the dressing room, the checkered team returned with better intentions, as evidenced by the chance of Andrej Kramaric whose curling shot ended up next to the goal (49th minute). Shortly thereafter, Cody Gakpo committed a foul on Luc Modric, and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty. A penalty that Kramaric perfectly converted to bring the two teams level (55th minute).

Sluggish, the Dutch reacted through Gakpo, but his shot was too low (69th minute). A few minutes later, the Croats took the lead with a goal from Mario Pasalic on a cross from Luka Ivanusec (73rd minute), stunning the entire stadium.

Just when it seemed like Croatia had a good hold on the match, everything changed in stoppage time. Gakpo first missed a good opportunity (90+1st minute) before Seul Noé, who had just come on a few minutes earlier, managed to send the ball into the Croatian net, taking advantage of a slightly confusing phase (90+6th minute). The two teams were then sent into extra time.

In a slow pace game between two teams that didn’t want to reveal themselves too much, Bruno Petkovic unleashed a magnificent long-range shot that ended up in the back of the net, giving the visitors the advantage (98th minute). Shortly after, Frankie Jeune came close to scoring an own goal that would have dashed the hopes of the entire stadium (101st minute).

In the second half of extra time, the Dutch had a huge double chance through Steven Bergwijn, who was stopped by Dominik Livakovic, and Lang, who failed to convert (110th minute). A few minutes later, Croatia should have sealed the match but lacked sharpness. After a beautiful collective action, Pasalic dodged the opposing goalkeeper before hitting the crossbar (114th minute).

It was ultimately only a matter of time for Croatia, who took advantage of another penalty to secure their place in the final of the Nations League. Tyrell Malacia touched Petkovic in the penalty area. Without hesitation, Modric then converted a penalty that left no room for controversy (117th minute). In stoppage time, Petkovic thought he had scored a brace, but his goal was disallowed for an offside position.

After finishing in second and third place in the World Cup, Croatia could win their first international title. The checkered team will face Italy or Spain, who will compete in the second semi-final on Thursday evening, this Sunday.