Soccer

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

1st Half Report: It was all Croatia in the first 45 minutes as Russia is playing for a draw and doing well. On the rain soaked Poljud pitch, the Vatreni held the ball for 67% of the half and had three attempts on target. Kramarić had a wide open chanced on goal but headed it right into the Russian goalie's hands. Brozović sent a long range shot that beat the keeper but sailed … [Read more...] about CROATIA PUNCH TICKET TO 2022 WORLD CUP IN QATAR!!!

Oh boy. Can it be Sunday already? Croatia hosts Russia at Stadion Poljud on Sunday in "utakmica godine" (the game of the year) as Luka Modrić wrote on Instagram. Luka is absolutely correct, in fact, Sunday's match is the most important game for Croatia since the 2018 World Cup Final against France. The severity of this match outweighs any 2020 Euro qualifier and group … [Read more...] about Croatia Vs. Russia: What To Expect On Sunday

The 7-1 victory over Malta went perfectly to plan. Croatia went up early to make it 4-1 at half. That enabled Dalić to sub out Brozović and Perišić (both on yellows) to preserve them for the Russia match. Luka Modrić got his reps in and played 54 minutes in this match. Ivo Grbić got his first cap in net for the Vatreni and should have had a clean sheet if it wasn't for … [Read more...] about Croatia Crush Malta 7-1 To Set Up A ‘Win Or Go To Playoff’ Match vs. Russia On Sunday