Croatia defeats Cyprus

Pašalić the hero, Modrić the legend

27.03.2021.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In its second qualifier on the road to Qatar 2022, Croatia hosted Cyprus, celebrating both a 1:0 victory and the captain Modrić's jubilee.

CROATIA - CYPRUS 1:0 (1:0)
2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group H.
HNK Rijeka Stadium, Rijeka.

Referee: K. Tohver (Estonia)

Goals: 1:0 - Pašalić (40')

Cautions: Ćaleta-Car (48'), Perišić (69'), Kovačić (90+3')

Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, Ćaleta-Car, Lovren, Vrsaljko (46' Juranović), Brozović, Pašalić (66' Oršić), Modrić, Perišić (77' Kovačić), Brekalo (66' Vlašić), Budimir (57' Kramarić). Head coach: Z. Dalić

Cyprus: Demetriou (39' Michael), Laifis (82' Andreou'), Soteriou, Kousoulos, N. Ioannou, Kyriakou, Artymatas (57' Kastanos), Psaltis, Pittas, Ilia (46' Sotiriou), Tzioni (67' Papoulis). Head coach: N. Kostenoglou.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

On Saturday, World Cup finalists Croatia have hosted Cyprus in Rijeka, in their first competitive meeting with the Cypriot national team, celebrating the first victory on the road towards Qatar 2022 - following the introductory defeat in Slovenia.

Zlatko Dalić's men have seeked to score from the kick-off, but sturdy Cyprus defence held firm. Pašalić twice tried a header, while Vrsaljko, Modrić, and Brozović tried long-range efforts.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Cyprus goalkeeper Demetriou was forced off with injury, and just moments later Croatia took the lead. In a scramble in the box, the ball was bounced towards Pašalić, who headed it in.

CAPTAIN BREAKS RECORD

Team captain Luka Modrić is now Croatia's most capped player (135), as he topped previous captain Darijo Srna (134).

In the second half, Croatia continued to search for more opportunities, but Cyprus started to open more on the counterattacks. However, Livaković was calm when called into action. Vlašić and Oršić failed to convert the final chances, and the scoreline did not change.

This afternoon, Russia defeated Slovenia 2:1 at home soil, while Slovakia later faces Malta. Croatia continues its qualifying campaign on Tuesday, 30 March, when Malta comes to Rijeka.

2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group H:
1. Russia 6 (2)
2. Slovenia 3 (2)
3. Croatia 3 (2)
4. Slovakia 1 (1)
5. Cyprus 1 (2)
6. Malta 0 (1)

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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