Croatia capped off their round of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in style after running out 5-1 winners against Czech Republic, as Zlatko Dalic’s men netted 12 goals in their opening two qualifiers.
Croatia came into the game hoping to build on a thumping 7-0 win that opened up the qualifying campaign in emphatic fashion, but they were coming up against the nation leading the group after three wins in as many games. The Czech Republic were full of confidence in the opening moments, and yet, it was the home side who had the ball in the back of the net first on 11 minutes.
After achieving legendary status at Real Madrid but now without a club, Luka Modric showed his potential suitors just why he would be worth the gamble at 39 years old, when he delivered an inch-perfect ball into the box for Josko Gvardiol to guide home.
However, the opening goal was ruled out following a VAR review that found Mario Pasalic to be impeding a Czech defender from an offside position.
Gvardiol was proving the most dangerous outlet for the Croats as he had an effort saved by Matej Kovar midway through the half. That chance came following the Czechs’ only real opportunity in an otherwise subdued first half, when Patrik Schick looked destined to find the back of the net but was denied by a brilliant block from Duje Caleta-Car.
Just as it looked like the sides would be going into the break goalless, Croatia then opened the scoring. Involved once again, Gvardiol headed a looping ball into the danger area for Andrej Kramaric to nod home his third goal in two games.
Croatia - Czech Republic match statsFlashscore
Following the restart, the Czechs once again started off well, only this time they made it count. Within 15 minutes of the second half, Ivan Hasek’s men were level after Ladislav Krejci headed a corner kick onto the back post, where he bundled the ball home.
However, Modric restored Croatia’s lead minutes later from the penalty spot after Ante Budimir was bundled over in the box. With their lead restored, the Croats ramped up the pressure and forced the Czechs into a mistake in their own half, which allowed Ivan Perisic to slide a finish into the bottom corner.
With a two-goal lead, Dalic’s men then put the game beyond any doubt on 72 minutes as Budimir coolly rolled his spot kick into the bottom left corner. After netting seven last Friday, Croatia certainly had a taste for goals and added a fifth on 75 minutes when Kramaric was picked out in the box and he showed great composure to slide the ball past Kovář.
A second-half blitz saw the Vatreni move to within three points of first-place Czech Republic, having played a game less. But three wins in four qualifiers keeps Hasek’s men in contention to qualify for next year’s tournament.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Andrej Kramaric (Croatia)