Luka Vušković stole the spotlight in his Tottenham debut during the club’s first preseason match of the summer, proving once again why he is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football. The 18-year-old entered the match in the 46th minute against Reading and completely changed it. Just three minutes later, he assisted the opening goal. Four minutes after that, in the 53rd minute, he scored his first goal in a Spurs kit with a calm finish on his weaker foot. He was directly involved in both goals in Tottenham’s 2–0 win and played a major role in securing the victory.
He was the standout performer on the pitch. Vušković finished with an 8.4 match rating, 89 percent passing accuracy, a goal-line clearance, and two duels won. His confidence, control, and maturity stood out immediately. He looked like a player who belonged at this level, not just one for the future but one who is ready to contribute right now.
After loan spells with Radomiak Radom in Poland and a breakout season at KVC Westerlo in Belgium, Vušković has taken every step in his development with composure. Tottenham do not need to send him on loan. They need to keep him, play him, and allow him to grow in the first team. He is physically strong, technically clean, and already shows leadership qualities that are rare at his age. New manager Thomas Frank needs to give him an opportunity. Based on today’s showing, he has earned it.
But it is not just Spurs who should be paying close attention. Vušković recently made his senior debut for Croatia in June, coming on in the 88th minute against the Czech Republic. Now, he needs more minutes, and more importantly, starting minutes, if he is going to grow into a key player ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
With our experienced leaders Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren now retired, the back line is entering a new era. Joško Gvardiol and Josip Šutalo are leading that transition, and Vušković is the next piece of the puzzle. It is time to start building around them. Zlatko Dalić needs to trust him with a larger role and give him the chance to grow into it now, not later.
With World Cup qualifying matches coming up in September against Faroe Islands and Montenegro, this is the perfect moment to give Vušković meaningful playing time. He has already proven he can handle pressure at the club level. Now it is time to let him show it on the international stage.
Croatian Ivana Martincic the ref for the England-Italy women’s Euro semifinals right now.
Tough Crowd:
Luka: 18 years old in Crottenham Opener: (1) Header-Assist, (1) goal. Not too shabby.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, a large percentage of the goals are scored by corner set pieces, of which Croatia has been historically not great in the past. I think he will be 100% better than Vida in this department.
With Luka Sucic as the kicker, and Luka Vuskovic receiver, I would expect a 1 goal/game production on average going forward in this department.
ovo nije neka videoigra. ako mislis da cemo zabiti gol iz kornera po utakmici ondi si glup
On Maxsport 1 Rijeka v Ludogorec at 20:45 Cro time.
Bulgarian champs are favorites to win over two legs. Rijeka to have any chance must win at home.
Do you have a subscription for Maxsport? If so, where do you sign up, and how much does it cost? Thanks.
Yes I have a subscription to Croatian TV in Australia and it costs around $Aus 400. It has Maxsport channels 1 & 2 and about 20 Arena sport channels from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Slovenia.
Apart from Sport channels it has all the other channels like Nova TV, RTL and HRT and hundred other channels. Nova TV shows WC and EURO qualifiers, while RTL shows Handball and HRT covers Waterpolo.
On Maxsport you can watch all HNL matches, early qualifying rounds of UEFA club competitions for our clubs. Once the group stages start the matches are on Arena sport channels. Maxsport also shows all our national youth matches from U21 to U17.
On Arena sport channels you can watch LIVE matches from EPL, Italy , Spain and pretty much form all the major leagues in Europe.
Eric not sure where you are? but I’m sure that Croatian TV is available in USA and Canada ?
Thanks for the info!
I’m in Canada, and i have a subscription that has all of the Cro channels you described, but no Maxsport.
How did they look?
0-0 final score, but did Rijeka look decent out there?
Playing at home Rijeka were the better team on the night with more possession, however there were very few chances at either end.
The best chance for Rijeka came in the 17th minute when a long ball over the top saw Jankovic one on one with the Ludogorec goalkeeper but unfortunately, he could not find the net with the goalkeeper rushing towards him.
It will be a tough ask in Bulgaria, but you never know anything is possible.
Musa had two goals (one was a PK) and an assist in a 3-0 Dallas win on Saturday over St. Louis in MLS play.
After both goals he ran over to the corner where a group of celebrating fans had a Croatian flag in front of them.
Match highlights:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2025/matches/dalvsstl-07-19-2025/
Franjo Ivanovic’s opener (15′) vs Club Brugge in the Belgian Super Cup. Union SG didn’t manage to hold on to the lead and lost the game 1-2.
https://x.com/TheCroatianLad/status/1946978031500710223
I just watched the three minute montage of all his touches. He obviously continues to bring something unique off set pieces. His touch and composure with the ball looks shaky though. Fortunately it looks like he has stopped growing which gives him the potential to be a viable player. I haven’t watched enough of him to know if that tottenham performance was just nerves or if he’s simply just not that good with the ball out the back. He showed that same nervousness with his first touch against the czechs.
With Croatia heavily favored in the group and some minnows to play, it is the perfect scenario for dalic to integrate him . But that’s not what dalic does. He is much more likely to start a world cup game in desperation than have dalic actively integrate him in qualifiers.
Our defenders are incredibly injury prone thogh like gvardiol, stanisic etc so maybe some opportunity will pop up.
Big loss to Hungary 18 -12 in Waterpolo. They were just too good especially with shots on goal from distance. Defensively we were awful in first half conceding 11 goals. Our goalkeepers made only 3 saves in the entire match.
Vi nema te pojma sto pricate… bad management poor results INSPECTORE… name one country with better results or development management then Croatia since our independence lol…. Our results and achievements can speak for themselves.. We will always have some great players.. Always have and always will it’s in our DNA.. now only question is will this trend sod generational talent happen every 20 years or can we increase this to be every 10 years or better.. Our infrastructure is currently bad hopefully it will improve but our talent will always be there!! Boze sacuvaj>some of these comments on this board so immature
I watched Luka’s match highlights. He is not ready yet. Very slow on the ball playing from the back. I’m sure he will improve rapidly but I don’t expect to see him in the starting line up when the season starts. It will take a bit of time for him to get to premier league tempo. Maybe weeks, maybe months. Go prove me wrong Luka. His talent is extraordinary. It’s just a matter of time
I agree with you, also watched match highlights and he is not ready yet for EPL. At his age he needs to be playing regularly, and he won’t get that at Tottenham.
You have to let the preseason play out, some players grow faster and adapt when thrown in to higher levels of competition-
Game 1 – a successful showing
Definitely. His header was incredible. Like superman. He is a unique talent and player and Ofcourse a goal AND assist in his first 7 minutes in a Tottenham shirt is something to take notice of. Yes it’s early early days and he will improve quickly. Just putting a * next to suggestions he is “ready”
The Guardian Wolf Pack backfield, will be as big and intimidating as the Simunic/Schildenfeld duo, but will have tremendous offensive prowess to go with the raw physical intimidation.
Offensive defense will be a new strength moving forward. Going to be fun to watch.
Šimunić was garbage.
The only reason why ppl like him is because he’s a diaspora, and a diehard patriot.
But on the field, he made so many errors it was infuriating to watch.
There’s a reason why he was stuck at Hertha his entire career.
We also love him for that sacrificial red card he got when committing that brazen foul on the Serb in that away game that finished 1-1 lol.
Croatia needs to start him and every other young player with potential to the national team. The team needs youth not old man . We slowly need to integrate young talent sooner rather than later . We have guys on the team now that should have started 10 years ago . Guys now are in the late 30 pushing 40 . We need to accept when Luka leaves we may see a long period of decline . Competent management along with proper talent development is the only way we will have a competitive team that will give us a chance to win . Bad management is probably one of the biggest reasons we have not been successful. I wish this kid the best and hopefully he can be successful. I also believe we need older vets to mentor guys like him and prepare them for the big time . Let’s wait and see how this kid develops and hopefully it’s for the best