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Tag: croatia

  • France see off Croatia on penalties to reach Nations League final four

    France see off Croatia on penalties to reach Nations League final four

    Mike Maignan saved two penalties to earn France a dramatic 5-4 shoot-out win over Croatia and advance to the semi-finals of the Nations League.

    Michael Olise’s brilliant free-kick seven minutes after half-time and Ousmane Dembele’s seventh goal for his country with 10 minutes remaining helped France send the game into extra-time after a 2-0 first-leg loss in Croatia.

    After missed spot-kicks from Croatia duo Martin Baturina and Franjo Ivanovic, as well as France pair Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez, Maignan proved to be the hero by stopping Josip Stanisic’s effort in sudden death before Dayot Upamecano scored.

    As expected being two goals down on aggregate, France dominated the early proceedings and Kylian Mbappe came closest with a snapshot that flew wide of the far post.

    Dominik Livakovic was brought into action for the first time in the 38th minute when Olise’s perfectly-weighted pass found Bradley Barcola but he was denied brilliantly by the goalkeeper from close range.

    It was all one-way traffic in the first period, with William Saliba unable to connect with a header from a free-kick as referee Michael Oliver blew for half-time.

    France halved the aggregate deficit in the 52nd minute in style.

    Duje Caleta-Car tripped Mbappe outside the box and Olise stepped up and bent a free-kick into the back of the net past Livakovic.

    Mbappe blew a chance to haul his side level when the ball fell free for him inside the box, but the Real Madrid striker swept his effort the wrong side of the post.

    France got their equaliser in the 80th minute and Olise was at the heart of it again, taking the ball to the byline and pulling back for Dembele to stick it low into the bottom left corner.

    Extra-time brought more of the same and Livakovic saved twice in quick succession to deny substitute Desire Doue and Mbappe, who missed when one-on-one.

    In the shoot-out, Maignan saved from Baturina before Ivanovic ballooned one over the bar, only for France to let the visitors back in when Kounde and Hernandez missed the target.

    Stanisic stepped up and was denied by Maignan before Upamecano sealed a dramatic win and a place in the last four where title holders and Euro 2024 winners Spain will be waiting.

  • Modric makes fresh decision over Real Madrid future

    Modric makes fresh decision over Real Madrid future

    Luka Modric is seeking a new contract with Real Madrid.

    The veteran midfielder’s current deal will expire at the end of the season.

    Dinamo Zagreb have expressed a desire to bring their former star back to Croatia.

    But now AS says Modric would prefer to stay and extend his contract with Real Madrid for next season.

    A big reason for Modric is that his sights are set on playing in the World Cup in the summer of 2026 and he wants to remain at the top level.

    Modric has scored 27 goals in 184 international matches for Croatia.

    Tribalfootball

  • Man City defender reveals teammate as his football father

    Man City defender reveals teammate as his football father

    Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has heaped praise on teammate Mateo Kovacic.

    The two are well acquainted, as they play for the same club and national team.

    As the duo prepare for the Community Shield against Manchester United on Saturday, Gvardiol spoke about his adaptation to England since his move to City last summer.

    “I always like to compare the time I signed for Leipzig and last season with you guys,” Gvardiol told the official Man City Podcast.

    “In Leipzig, I was alone, I didn’t have anyone to speak with especially in Croatian and I don’t speak German so it was difficult for me.

    “I had Mateo with me and I would say he’s like my father, he’s always there for me and he takes me everywhere.

    “Everywhere they go, he just says comes with us because I live alone, I’m single and my parents live in Croatia but they come often.

    “But a lot of the time I’m alone here and he’s the one who always like to call me, to invite me for lunch or dinner or whatever. It’s a different story to the one I had in Leipzig.”

  • Euro 2024: Croatia, Albania settle for 2-2 draw

    Euro 2024: Croatia, Albania settle for 2-2 draw

    Europe power horse, Croatia on Wednesday failed to secure maximum points as they settle for share of the spoils with less fancied Albania.
    Forward Klaus Gjasula followed up an own goal with a stoppage-time equaliser as Albania stunned Croatia to secure a 2-2 draw following a breathless Group B encounter in Hamburg.
    Sylvinho’s Red and Black minnows struck the fastest goal in Euros history in their opener against Italy and they made another rapid start here as Qazim Laci squeezed a header home on 11 minutes.
    Few minutes after,  Kristjan Asllani and Rey Manaj both missed good opportunities to double the underdog’s tally.
    Upon resumption of the second half, shaky Croatians  were able to find their rhythm.
    The pressure eventually paid off  with two goals in two minutes as Croatia took the lead.
     Kramaric cut a lovely finish into the bottom corner before a clinical move down the left ended with substitute Gjasula turning an unfortunate ricochet into his own net 14 minutes from time.
    But  Gjasula would redeem himself in the fifth minute of stoppage time as he finished off a flowing move down the left to earn the minnows a priceless point and deny their opponents the maximum points.
    With the result, Albania currently occupy the first position behind Italy and leaders Spain, who both have three points ahead of the top two in Group B facing off on Wednesday evening.
    Croatia sit bottom with a vastly inferior goal difference.
    The last game of the group will see Croatia slug it out with Italy, while Spain will battle Albania next week Monday.
  • Croatian police arrest 50 persons after football violence erupted in Split

    Croatian police arrest 50 persons after football violence erupted in Split

    The Croatian football semi-final clash that left 17 police officers injured after football fans clashed with authorities have landed about fifty persons involved in the crisis  in police net.

    The violence kicked off late Wednesday when fans of Hajduk Split rushed the field following their team’s 0-1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the national cup semi-finals.

    Hundreds of Hajduk Split’s ultra fan base, known as the Torcida, tried to repel attack from the visiting team and its supporters.

    A police source said that the 17 officers got injured trying to intervene in the crisis.

    After being pushed back into the stands, where the fans were ripping off the seats and throwing them along with flares at the officers, violence later spilled in the streets surrounding the stadium.

    “Large groups of people on several occasions attacked police throwing flares, bottles, stones and other objects at them”, the statement said.

    The officers got  injured, mostly by objects thrown at them, and three were hospitalised, one with serious injuries, the statement said.

    One police vehicle was also damaged and 54 people were arrested, and firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish several blazes started in nearby dumpsters.

    The violence was condemned by officials including Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who said there was no “place for violence in sports”.

  • I should’ve joined Man City sooner – Kovacic

    I should’ve joined Man City sooner – Kovacic

    Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic admits he wishes he had joined Manchester City sooner.

    The pass master swapped Chelsea and London for City and Manchester, choosing to work under Pep Guardiola.

    Kovacic believes that he could have won even more trophies if he had signed for Guardiola’s team earlier in his career.

    “It’s amazing and tough because I’m learning a lot of new things and I would have loved to come at an earlier age to learn,” said Kovacic, while on international duty.

    “But it’s never too late to learn. I think like that. So I’m happy I can learn from him and what he tells you.

    “I would’ve loved someone to have told me a few years ago. But yeah, now I can still learn and you can really tell he is fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed it from the first moment. It was tough the first few days to understand what he wants – ‘don’t move there, go there’.

    “So I like to run a lot on the pitch sometimes – ‘go there, go there’. But he told me, ‘Be more calm, don’t run too much’. So it was like a little bit of surprise for me as well and it’s nice. The club you can tell from the first day is amazing. The people are great, and the city is also nice.”

  • I’ve made my decision about Croatia – Modric

    I’ve made my decision about Croatia – Modric

    Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric admits he’s made a decision about his international future.

    The veteran was asked about his plans after Croatia were beaten by Spain in the Nations League final on Sunday.

    Modric said: “I have decided my future, the choice is very clear in my mind, but I will not say or announce anything today.”

    The Ballon d’Or made his debut for Croatia on March 1, 2006, shortly before the World Cup in Germany. He has since made 166 appearances.

  • Croatia could’ve done more at World Cup – Brozovic

    Croatia could’ve done more at World Cup – Brozovic

    Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic felt Croatia could’ve achieved more at the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    They finished third after winning the playoff against Morocco on Saturday.

    Brozovic feels they now should focus on the Nations League.

    He said: “I have no regrets for the results that we achieved, even if we could’ve gone even further.

    “Now hopefully there will be a similar party if we win the Nations League in June.”

  • Qatar 2022: Gallant Morocco bows out with fourth place finish

    Qatar 2022: Gallant Morocco bows out with fourth place finish

    The Atlas Lions of Morocco today failed to make a podium finish after losing its third place match to one of Europe’s football giants Croatia.

    The Moroccans lost 2-1 to Croatia at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

    2018 finalists Croatia continue to defy the odds with remarkable tournament performances that equaled their illustrious 1998 cohort by wrapping up third place in Qatar.

    In the 7th minute, Croatia’s Gvardiol puts his team ahead with a  powerful header that sent the entire Croatian fans into frenzy.

    However, the Atlas Lions responded almost immediately when Ziyech’s inswinging free-kick was unwittingly looped towards his own goal by the head of Majer, and Dari reacted quickest to head past Livakovic from five yards to score his first international goal for Morocco on the dot of 9 minute.

    However, in the 69th minute ,Mislav Orsic a low drive pass past the Moroccan goalie into the opposite side netting.

    Orsic,  ran round the ball, on the left edge of the area, and floated an exquisite first-time shot across goal with his right foot. It beat the flying Bono, hit the inside of the far post and rebounded into the net.

    The result meant Croatia has finished second and third respectively at the World Cup.

  • Qatar 2022: What Messi said after guiding Argentina to World Cup final

    Qatar 2022: What Messi said after guiding Argentina to World Cup final

    Lionel Messi hailed Argentina’s resilience after his majestic display against Croatia ensured a World Cup that began with defeat to Saudi Arabia could end in glory.

    Messi recorded a goal and an assist as Argentina posted a 3-0 win over Croatia at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday to reach their sixth World Cup final – a tally only bettered by Germany (eight).

    Having opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, Messi rolled back the years with a remarkable assist as Julian Alvarez completed his brace after the break, beating Josko Gvardiol twice before teeing up a simple finish for the Manchester City forward.

    Messi now has the chance to cap his incredible career by lifting football’s biggest prize, a prospect that appeared unlikely when Argentina lost their Group C opener three weeks ago.

    The 35-year-old reflected on that surprise defeat after Tuesday’s victory, saying Argentina channelled their disappointment to rescue their tournament.

    “I’d say the first game was a hard blow for all of us because we had been unbeaten in 36 matches. To start it like that was a hard blow,” Messi said in a post-match press conference.

    “We didn’t think we’d lose to Saudi. It was an acid test, but we’ve shown how strong we are.

    “It was very difficult what we did because every match has been a final and this brings a mental load. We were aware if we didn’t win then everything would be more complicated.

    “We’ve played five finals and, luckily enough, been able to win them. I hope this will be the same for the final. Internally we were confident we’d make it as we know what we are capable of.

    “Yes, we lost the first match because of fine details, but that helped us to be stronger and to grow in the tournament and internally as a squad.”

    Croatia bested Argentina’s rivals Brazil in a tense penalty shoot-out in the previous round, but Messi felt the Albiceleste’s intelligence and willingness to “suffer” was the key against experienced opponents.

    “I would say this squad, beyond the collective strengths, is very intelligent and wise, we know how to read the game and every moment,” Messi said.

    “It’s something the coach said before, it’s a very intelligent squad. We know when to suffer and when to press. We know how to read the games, we know what to do in every moment, how to win.”

    Messi has now recorded eight goal involvements (five goals, three assists) in Qatar, moving ahead of Kylian Mbappe (five goals, two assists) prior to France’s semi-final meeting with Morocco, and he is enjoying every minute of the campaign.

    “Well, what I can say is I’m enjoying this a lot, I’m feeling really good, I feel strong enough to face every match,” Messi added.

    “The previous game was a big sacrifice, it went to extra time, that wasn’t easy. Today we’re tired, but we pooled our strengths to earn this victory.

    “Personally, I can say I feel very happy in this whole World Cup, I’m enjoying it a lot, and luckily I am able to help the whole squad make things happen.”