Croatia fell to Wales with Modric and qualification was complicated

Wales defeated Croatia, finalist and third in the last two World Cups, at Cardiff City Stadium (2-1) and entered the match for qualification for Euro 2024.

Turkey, first in this group D with 16 points, earned a passport to Germany after defeating Latvia (4-0), while Wales knocked Croatia out of second place due to the best individual average (when March they drew 1-1 in Split) and they will play for the second ticket in their last two games.

Luka Modric It cannot be as decisive tonight as on other occasions and now Croatia will play whether in November or not in Latvia and at home against Armenia. Wales will visit Armenia and host Turkey.

Modric didn’t connect

Croatia had more possession in the first half but were not creating chances as Modric could not serve the ball well to the attacking players against a very solid Wales in defence.

While Danny Ward He did not have to intervene until the last quarter of an hour of the game, on the other goal Dominik Livakovic He did so well that it remained 0-0 at half-time.

First, the Croatian goalkeeper made a great save on a free-kick by Harry Wilson (24′) and again shone on a shot by Neco Williams (30′).

Double from a great Harry Wilson

In the second half, Wales translated their excellent performance into goals, Rob Page’s best as coach since November 2020.

Zlatko Dalic made three changes at half-time, symptom that the Croatian game did not satisfy him, but in the second minute of the start Harry Wilson He received a long pass from David Brooks, brought it down with his chest and stood quickly against Livakovic, who he beat by chipping the ball with quality.

It was Wilson’s night, the Fulham striker who, in his 50th international matchmade it 2-0 with a cross from the newly introduced Daniel James which he took into the net with a header placed behind his back in goal (60′).

Croatia finally had a shot on goal and closed the gap

Daniel James on a drive that ended with a shot that narrowly missed the target (68′). Croatia looked completely dominated and their first shot on target didn’t come until the 74th minute, when Ward deflected a long-range shot by youngster Dion Drena Beljo for a corner.

Modric took the corner kick and Mario Pasalic, who like Beljo came on at half-time, scored with a header. (75′). Croatia got into the game in no time, took pride and looked for an equalizer with minutes remaining.

Beljo, alone, headed in another corner, Wales pinned in their place but fought back and relegated Croatia to third place.

WELSH

21

CROATIA

Wales: Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Mepham, Davies; Jordan James, Wilson (Broadhead, m.80), Ampadu, Williams; Brooks (Daniel James, m.57) and Moore.

Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic (Stanisic, m.46), Vida, Gvardiol, Barisic (Sosa, m.59); Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Musa (Beljo, m.46) and Brekalo (Pasalic, m.46).

Goals: 1-0, m.47: Wilson. 2-0, m.60: Wilson. 2-1, m.75: Pasalic.

Referee: Davide Massa (ITA). He warned James (m.86) on behalf of Wales and Vida (m.22) and Brozovic (m.89) on behalf of Croatia.

Incidents: The match corresponding to group D of the qualifying phase for Euro 2024 played at Cardiff Stadium.

see the match sheet