Croatia to face Peru and Mexico in USA friendlies

Croatia will play Peru on 23 March at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Mexico on 27 March at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. 

"We have agreed on two extremely tough friendly matches, in accordance with head coach Dalić's wishes. I am proud to have Croatia playing at two fantastic stadiums, and enable numerous Croatians is Americas to watch the Vatreni once again. This May in Los Angeles, our visit was a complete success, and these two matches are a confirmation that Croatian Football Federation is a desirable, attractive partner for these kind of football spectacles", said HNS president Davor Šuker following the agreement regarding the friendly internationals.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Peru, No. 11 at FIFA Rankings, was not defeated in last eight qualifiers, and returned to the World Cup stage after 26 years through play-off round against New Zealand. The stadium in Miami, recently renovated, has already hosted biggest sporting events like Super Bowl or this summer's El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Peru and Croatia have never previously met, and are to face each other for the first time in history. 

Mexico, however, is a familiar opponent to the Vatreni. Alongside Croatia's friendly win in Los Angeles, Croatia won two more friendlies in the 1990s, while Mexico celebrated two World Cup victories in 2002 and 2014.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

The Mexicans are at No. 16 at FIFA Rankings, one position above Croatia. They have secured their seventh consecutive World Cup berth, and reached the second round on six previous occasions.

"I am extremely satisfied with these two matches. Peru and Mexico are very strong teams, and their style of play will be a good test for our World Cup encounters, especially the one with Argentina. I believe Croatia will have a strong support from the stands, while top stadiums, great atmosphere and excellent opponents will present extraordinary motivation to my players, in order to put in maximum effort in these two friendlies, since we are aware that they will be important check-ups before the World Cup", emphasized head coach Zlatko Dalić.

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