Croatia

Operation: Poljud was a huge success! Not only did the Vatreni smash on Hungary 3-0 to take control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group, but there was zero drama in Split surrounding the match for the first time in ages. The win means Croatia now hold a 4-point advantage over their Hungarian neighbors. The top two teams in the group go directly to Euro 2020. (For … [Read more...] about Croatia Can Book Euro 2020 Berth Sunday With Win, Or Draw (Maybe)

Croatia Starting XI vs. Hungary (4-3-3): Livaković - Jedvaj, Lovren, Vida, Barišić - Rakitić, Modrić, Brozović - Rebić, Perišić, Petković Mistakes galore by Hungary in the first half led to three Croatian goals at Poljud Thursday night. Captain Luka Modrić stole the ball and broke away in the 5' for the opener and then Dinamo Zagreb's Bruno Petković added two himself … [Read more...] about Croatia Demolish Hungary 3-0, One Win Away From Euro 2020 Berth

The Vatreni will play at Split's Poljud Stadion for the first time Thursday since June 12, 2015 - where they drew Italy 1-1 in Euro 2016 qualifying. That match was played behind closed doors due to Croatian fan trouble from a previous match against Norway and then brought a dark shadow upon Croatian football itself. The last time the Vatreni played at Poljud, a swastika could … [Read more...] about The Poljud Curse

So I'm sitting at my desk at work Tuesday afternoon doing my usual thing. I have the Dinamo Zagreb-Manchester City match in the background on my second computer screen. The Champions League anthem comes on at the Etihad as the camera pans to Dinamo's usual suspects: Olmo, Livaković, Oršić, Moro, Ademi. Unlike past Champions League seasons - where Dinamo would get … [Read more...] about 2019 Croatian Football: Don’t Take It For Granted, Folks

Earlier in the week, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić named his squad for the October Euro 2020 qualifiers against Hungary and Wales. The Vatreni will host Hungary - who beat Croatia 2-1 earlier in the year - at Poljud in Split on October 10th. It will be the first game in Split since the swastika was found on the pitch against Italy in June of 2015. Croatia will then travel to … [Read more...] about Croatia Squad Named For Hungary & Wales

The boys here at CroatianSports.com have been debating this heated topic for over a week now; since it was brought up on our Twitter page: @CroatianSoccer. Who will be harder to replace? Luka Modrić or Mario Mandžukić? The question is not, "Who was the better player?" or "Who had a bigger impact on the Croatian national team?" After all is said and done, … [Read more...] about Modrić Or Mandžukić: Who Will Be Harder To Replace?

Croatia Starting XI: Livaković – Bartolec, Lovren, Vida, Barišić – Brozović, Modrić – Vlašić, Perišić, Rebić – Petković.  It wasn't the way the Vatreni drew it up. After an impressive 4-0 win over Slovakia on Friday, Croatia laid an egg Monday night in Baku, drawing Azerbaijan - the 109th ranked country in the world - 1-1. Manager Zlatko Dalić decided to use … [Read more...] about Azerbaijan Shock Croatia In Euro Qualifying With 1-1 Draw

Croatia's 4-0 thumping of Slovakia on Friday was a fantastic Euro 2020 qualifying result for the Vatreni, but it raises many questions moving forward. Petković, Vlašić, and Brekalo showed the goods in Trnava - but how long can they keep up this form? And if they can, will they be able to take starting XI spots from Kovačić, Rakitić, and Kramarić? Croatia … [Read more...] about Croatia-Slovakia Post Game Recap

Croatia Starting XI: Livaković - Bartolec, Lovren, Vida, Barišić - Brozović, Modrić - Vlašić, Perišić, Rebić - Petković Even with the omission of Ivan Rakitić, Andrej Kramarić, and Mateo Kovačić, Croatia had more than enough firepower on the field to handle Slovakia Friday night in Trnava. The Vaterni peppered the Slovak goal for the entire first half but could not find … [Read more...] about Croatia Thrash Slovakia 4-0, Go Top Of Group