The Vatreni remain top of the group
Three goals, three points: A beautiful Croatian night in Split
10.10.2019.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia national football team defeated Hungary 3:0 in Split, making another important step on the road towards EURO 2020.
CROATIA - HUNGARY 3:0 (3:0)
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E.
Poljud Stadium, Split.
Referee: D. Orsato (Italy)
Goals: 1:0 - Modrić (5'), 2:0 - Petković (24'), 3:0 - Petković (42')
Cautions: Kleinheisler (18'), D. Vida (31'), Brozović (45'), Lovrencsics (82')
Sent off: Kleinheisler (56')
Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, D. Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj, Brozović, Modrić (67' Kovačić), Perišić (60' Brekalo), Rakitić (74' Vlašić), Rebić, Petković. Head coach: Z. Dalić.
Hungary: Gulacsi, Kadar (46' Lang), Orban, Korhut, Lovrencsics, M. Vida, Kleinheisler, Sallai (76' Varga), Holman, Dzsudzsak (60' Nagy), Szalai. Head coach: M. Rossi.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In its sixth Group E outing, Croatia secured a fourth victory, responding to the Hungarian win in Budapest this March (2:1) and remaining top of the group with two more matches to go.
Following the opening efforts by Modrić and Perišić, Croatia captain managed to steal the ball in midfield and then beat the Hungarian goalkeeper in one-on-one situation.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
On 24 minutes, Rebić found Petković with a low cross, and Croatia striker reacted briliantly with a cheeky backheel to double the hosts' lead.
Gulacsi intervened on 40 minutes, when Petković tried from close range, but No. 20 made amends two minutes later, converting Perišić's cross from the right to make it 3:0 at halftime.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Ten minutes after the restart, Rebić was fouled in the box, but Perišić's strike from the spot was saved by Gulacsi. Soon afterwards, Kleinheisler was sent off due to a second bookable offense.
Zlatko Dalić's men were comfortably cruising towards the final whistle, with Rebić coming close to a fourth goal, but the final score remained 3:0.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Simultaneously, Slovakia and Wales shared the spoils (1:1), while Croatia visits Wales on Sunday in Cardiff.
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E:
1. Croatia 13 (6)
2. Slovakia 10 (6)
3. Hungary 9 (6)
4. Wales 7 (5)
5. Azerbaijan 1 (5)
Copyright by Croatian Football Federation. Quoting text from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to HNS as a source and providing direct link to the original content at hns.family. Re-use of the photographs is not permitted.
