Successful qualifying campaign
Croatia comeback against Slovakia seals EURO 2020 berth!
16.11.2019.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia secured a place at the upcoming EURO 2020 as the top team from the qualifying Group E, following a comeback victory over Slovakia in Rijeka!
CROATIA - SLOVAKIA 3:1 (0:1)
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E.
HNK Rijeka Stadium, Rijeka.
Referee: C. Turpin (France)
Goals: 0:1 - Boženik (32'), 1:1 - Vlašić (56'), 2:1 - Petković (60'), 3:1 - Perišić (74')
Cautions: Ćaleta-Car (13'), Mak (23'), Rebić (43'), Dubravka (79')
Sent off: Mak (66')
Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, Ćaleta-Car, Perić, Jedvaj, Modrić, Brozović, Perišić (81' Oršić), Vlašić (75' Kovačić), Rebić (54' Brekalo), Petković. Head coach: Z. Dalić.
Slovakia: Dubravka, Hancko, Škriniar, Vavro, Pekarik, Hamšik, Lobotka, Kucka (79' Hrošovsky), Rusnak (63' Haraslin), Mak, Boženik (72' Duriš). Head coach: P. Hapal.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Zlatko Dalić's men have overcame Slovakia challenge in Rijeka, despite being a goal down at half-time, and secured the top spot in the qualifying Group E. Therefore, Croatia will play at 11th major tournament in its history!
The Vatreni have had several promising opportunities in the first half (Petković, Vlašić, Perišić), but it was Slovakia who took the lead on 32 minutes, when Boženik scored from close range. Visitors' goalkeeper Dubravka remained a mystery to Croatia's forwards.
However, things have changed after the break. On 56 minutes, Vlašić found the bottom corner from the edge of the box, and four minutes later Modrić crossed from a corner kick, and Petković headed the ball in to make 2:1. Soon afterwards, Mak was sent off due to second cautionable offence.
Croatia's victory was sealed on 74 minutes, when Barišić crossed from the left, and Perišić reacted brilliantly to beat Dubravka, who had to produce more saves in the closing minutes.
In other Group E match on Saturday, Wales defeated Azerbaijan in Baku (2:0). In the final round, on Tuesday, Wales hosts Hungary, while Slovakia hosts Azerbaijan.
The EURO 2020 Final Draw will be held on 30 November in Bucharest.
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E:
1. Croatia 17 (8)
2. Hungary 12 (7)
3. Wales 11 (7)
4. Slovakia 10 (7)
5. Azerbaijan 1 (7)
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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