A tough test for the Vatreni in their first match of 2026 in Orlando, but they came away with the win after a weird start to the game with Colombia scoring early in the 3rd minute. Their lead didn’t last long as Vušković responded just three minutes later, scoring from outside the box. It took a deflection, but it went in, that’s all that matters.
Player ratings:
Luka Vušković – 7.8
Played a great game, solid defensively beside Erlić and Pongračić and stepped up with the goal. Deservedly Sofascore Player of the Match.
Marco Pašalić – 7.8
Constant threat on the wing, showed his flair and created a couple big chances. Delivered the corner for the second goal.
Dominik Livaković – 7.4
Good response after the early goal, settled in and made a couple big saves.
Igor Matanović – 7.2
Strong presence up top and scored the game winner, getting on the end of Pašalić’s corner to put Croatia ahead.
Petar Sučić – 7.0
Very composed in midfield, his long ball accuracy is insane and he looks like he will be a top midfielder one day.
Petar Musa – 6.7
Very unlucky off the bench, hit the woodwork twice and just couldn’t catch a break in the second half.
A good first match of 2026 for the Vatreni overall.
Final thoughts:
Play Marco Pašalić more. Play Petar Musa more. Doesn’t matter if they’re both in MLS. Luka Vušković is ready to be starting every game from here on out.
Everyone says that adidas is going to be the better Jersey designer outfit. I don’t about that, if it is going to look like Columbia’s except Red, white and blue, with 3 racing strips on the sleeve, how unique, year after year, count me out as in agreement with the mob. Colombia’s jerseys are nothing to write home about and are traditional adidas mass production copycat design over and over.
The two naked chick logic is synonymous with Latin American Rumba culture, but I for one would not appreciate it on our jersey or find it reflective of our culture. That better not put that crap logo on our jerseys.
Be careful what you wish for in life. This may be a bust. Each to his own I guess. To the victor goes the spoils, or in this case spoiled.
Additionally, the purple jackets were an interesting royal touch, from a group who has played like kings for the last 12 years. Very fitting.
12:30
Luka too nonchalant with passing out of the back
This time gets rushed/intercepted and chance on goal (which he doesn’t do enough to recover)
It’s not the first time he was nonchalant out of the back – slow moving before passing – trying to bait the press – but in a real game those “lazy” passes need to be CLEANED UP as otherwise the opposition with intercept and go right onto goal
11′
Diaz chance (when he flopped for a penalty)
Luka over-committed (after Diaz got around Pero and shrugged off Marco)
If instead of flopping, he took another step, he would have had an open shot at net (bc Luka over-committed)
Needs to be cleaned up
It’s not just that he over-committed
Look at his weird/contorted body shape (leaning over but contorted) coupled with flat feet (after over-committing past the play)
He was doing that early in the Bundesliga season – needs to be cleaned up for good – as makes it impossible to re-start/being agile in different direction
Vlasic asking for a penalty in the 10′ after being swatted by Davinson Sanchez
Asking for a penalty in a friendly = top mentality
What’s up with Pero’s left hand ?
You notice he’s wearing two long-white sleeves shirt – right ?
But look closely – it looks like a cast on a few of his left fingers (and wearing the sleeves to kind of cover it up) or actually maybe a broken wrist
Anyone else notice it – look again closely
The camera angles and fields for these friendlies have been dogshit. Watched a bit of France v Brazil too and it’s too fucking zoomed in or some shit? Couldnt even see the guy taking the corner lmao.Looks woeful.. complete dogshit.. can’t trust USA to do anything right.
And that’s before we get to them electing a fat rapist pedophile protecting war criminal too !
😀
I thought first half we looked a bit shaky in the defence, especially on our RHS where Erlic played and he did not get a lot of help from Marco Pasalic. Marco looked good in attack however defensively he needs to improve if we are going to play 3 – 5 – 2.
Livakovic did OK except trying to punch the ball a couple of times instead of catching it.
Vuskovic had a very good match as did Pongracic in defence.
Moro also played well in the midfield. I was a bit disappointed with Vlasic who got caught in possession on a couple of occasions due to lack of speed.
Luka Sucic did not impress when he came on for his short stint.
Not sure about 3 – 5 – 2 formation ? Colombia had some good chances as well.
We definitely look more dangerous going forward, but we also look weaker in the defence playing this formation. Last 15 minutes Dalic reverted to playing 4 at the back when Jakic came on.
Good win for confidence and also ranking points.
P.S.
Perisic (and Modric) already got Luka Vuskovic cupping (see his neck with at least three cupping marks)
That’s the first time he’s ever had cupping in his career
@Crnkovic
You still POSITIVE Vuskovic ain’t a striker 😉
Just watched the three goals (the first one is on Pong for standing their like a statue not picking up the guy running into the box and Perisic kicking it past Liva)
I must say – 10/10 for psychology in the anthem line-up – putting Luka strategically b/w the two shortest players Vlasic and Marco made him look like a giant amongst men – honestly very impressed someone came up with that – very smart
Barca here we come !
MLS is ranked 10th in the world while HNL is 18th. The level of play in HNL this year is the worst in recent memory. While one or two of the regular posters will always dump on MLS, the reality is that Marco Pašalic needs to start at right mid and Musa needs to be the first option off the bench at striker, assuming Budimir is the WC starter.
I can see why Vida turned down the unofficial talks about him becoming an assistant coach. He’d tell Zlatko he’s out of his mind for going back to a 3-man backline and he’d tell him to shut up, since he is so stubborn.
I would not have put in Luka at all. We all knew Colombia was going to be frustrated and hacking at the end, even in a friendly. What was the purpose of putting him in that situation and getting him injured.
Lastly, I have nothing negative to say about any of the players who all played hard, but what is it with Moro starting?
The purpose of putting Luka in for 10 minutes is to fulfil the contract – otherwise HNS won’t get a million for these two friendlies
I was unimpressed with Colombia.
They rolled out a solid lineup…but they don’t really play any other way than they do. No strategy. Once you adjust against them, they become less effective as the game goes on.
We were caught off guard by them early. But to be fair to us, we were also experimenting with a back three with three defenders who have never played with each other before.
But, as the game went on, we played the counter well. When Luka came on, we pretty much secured the win (and probably should have added a goal for ourselves at the end).
I can’t imagine what the score line would have been had we played Luka, Kova, Krama and Gvardiol this game.
I can’t see them beating us in the Round of 32 if we end up meeting them again.
It was only a friendly. The intensity would not have been the same. And why show everything you can do to a team you may play at the WC?
I think the friendly with Colombia, and Brazil, would have been better at the Los Angeles Coliseum regarding fan energy and attendance.
We would probably had more attendance at the first home game for Stipe Biuk.
Regarding Musa, you know those are going to fall 99 times in 100. Need his speed, energy, and timely positioning. Needed him to get the brace to silent the doubters tonight though. Hope Dalic gives him 50 minutes next game again to prove himself.
Doubt we’ll have as many chances in the next game..