Two goals as South Americans celebrate

Peru overcomes Croatia in Miami

24.03.2018.

Photo by: Hard Rock Stadium

In its first match of 2018, Croatia national football team faced Peru in an international friendly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, succumbing to a 2:0 defeat.

PERU - CROATIA 2:0 (1:0)
International friendly.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA.

Referee: I. Elfath (USA)

Goals: 1:0 - Carrillo (12'), 2:0 - Flores (48')

Cautions: Cueva (27'), Brozović (29'), Yotun (56'), Vrsaljko (76')

Sent off: Yotun (75')

Peru: Caceda, Trauco, Santamaria, Advincula, Ramos (72' Araujo), Tapia (84' Pena), Cueva (64' Benavente), Yotun, Flores (67' Hurtado), Carrillo (77' Aquino), Farfan (88' Ruidiaz). Head coach: R. Gareca.

Croatia: Subašić, Strinić, Ćorluka, Vida, Vrsaljko, Brozović (56' Kovačić), Rakitić, Modrić, Perišić (77' Rebić), Mandžukić (72' Pjaca), N. Kalinić (64' Kramarić). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

The Vatreni have started this year's US Tour with an clash against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, in the first Croatia's match with this South American nation, another FIFA World Cup participant. Both teams have therefore wanted to test their abilities three months before the tournament in Russia.

Moreover, Zlatko Dalić's men have presented the new kit, but Ricardo Gareca's men had more to celebrated on the final whistle, winning by a two-goal margin.

The opening goal came on 12 minutes, when Carrillo punished Croatia's defensive mistake - his deflected shot ended up behind Subašić's back. Rakitić responded with a free kick, but there was no change to the scoreline in the first half.

After the break, Peru performed very well and was rewarded on 48 minutes. Farfan ran in the box and found Flores, who scored from close range to confirm the 2:0 victory.

Farfan and Flores had further opportunities to do Croatia more damage, while Croatia threatened in the closing minutes, following Yotun's sending off.

Kramarić tried on three occasions, but Peru goalie Caceda produced quality saves, while Vrsaljko and Modrić also came close.

Croatia now travels to Dallas, to face Mexico in another friendly, on 27 March.

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