Croatia

My prediction of the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff route being an absolute shitstorm came to fruition. Croatia avoided the toughest playoff path in World Cup history with their 1-0 win over Russia in Split two weeks ago. So what's going to happen on March when the playoff begins? Italy and Portugal have been placed in the same 4-team group. That means either the … [Read more...] about Italy OR Portugal Will Miss 2022 World Cup, Russia Must Go Through Poland, Sweden

We talked about Zlatko Dalić's triumphs, trials, and tribulations yesterday. Will he always be known for taking Croatia to the World Cup Final? Yes. Should he ever have to pay for a beer while standing on Croatian soil. Absolutely not! Whether you think Dalić is the best Croatian football coach of all time or not, we must pay close attention to what he has been doing … [Read more...] about Zlatko Dalić:The Greatest Croatian Coach Of All Time (Part 2)

He got me. Zlatko Dalić got me fair and square and now I have to swallow my pride and admit that his 'method of madness' actually works. Or he's just the luckiest Croatian on planet Earth and can wiggle out of any tough situation. Either way, it works. I called for Dalić to resign immediately following EURO 2020 after he lost the locker room. But it's obvious to me he may … [Read more...] about Zlatko Dalić:The Greatest Croatian Coach Of All Time (Part 1)

Meet Juan Manuel Pertica. Pertica is born and raised in Buenos Aires but has been a diehard Croatian football supporter since 1998. He cheers for the Vatreni in every match, even when they played against his native Argentina three years ago at the 2018 World Cup. Pertica is all about Croatian football and even lived in Zagreb for four months where he told CroatianSports, "I … [Read more...] about The Croatian Goal Heard Around Argentina!!!

Croatia's U-21 squad took care of business in Austria on Tuesday night in convincing fashion! In what was projected to be their toughest match of U-21 Euro Qualifying (away at Austria), the Mladi Vatreni defeated Austria's U-21s 3-1. 18 year-old star Lukas Kačavenda opened the scoreline for Croatia in the 14th minute, hitting a rocket from 25 yards out into the upper corner. … [Read more...] about Mladi Vatreni Roll Through Austria To Remain Perfect In Under-21 Euro Qualifying

How big was Croatia's 1-0 win over Russia on Sunday? Much bigger than we could have ever imagined! Look, I'm not saying Croatia couldn't have gotten through the playoff round if they needed to, but this will be the toughest playoff path for European nations in the history of World Cup qualifying. 12 teams will battle for the last three UEFA berths. The days of the 2-legged … [Read more...] about Croatia Just Avoided An Absolute Shitstorm Of A World Cup Playoff

With 10 minutes left in their normal qualifying campaign, Croatia got the job done against Russia (and the elements) to qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And the win should be considered even more important today with what's going to happen in the playoff round in March. Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Scotland, Poland, to name a few nations, will all have to qualify … [Read more...] about The Borna Sosa Effect

The Vatreni have done it again! After beating Russia 1-0 in a nail-biter at Poljud, Croatia have qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar! Anything less than three points would have forced Croatia into a four-team playoff for World Cup qualification, but the boys got the job done in wild fashion. Croatia broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, as Borna Sosa's cross was … [Read more...] about Dalić Leads Croatia To His Third Straight Tournament And Is Set Up For Success In 2022