2:0 win in Bursa

Kovačić double puts Croatia in the driving seat in Turkey

28.03.2023.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Following a 1:1 home draw with Wales, Croatia visited Turkey and celebrated its first EURO 2024 qualifying victory, with Mateo Kovačić the hero of the day.

TURKEY - CROATIA 0:2 (0:2)
EURO 2024 qualifying, Group D.
Buyuksehir Beledye Stadium, Bursa.

Referee: A. Ekberg (Sweden)

Goals: 0:1 - Kovačić (20'), 0:2 - Kovačić (45+4')

Cautions: Livaković (62'), Gvardiol (69')

Turkey: Gunok, Kadioglu, Demiral, Soyuncu, Celik, Calhanoglu (38' Yuksek), Ozcan, Kokcu (67' Guler), Akturkoglu (67' Baris), Under (81' Tosun), Unal (81' Nayir). Head coach: S. Kuntz.

Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, Gvardiol, Šutalo, Stanišić, Brozović, Modrić (83' Majer), Kovačić, Perišić (90+2' Ivanušec), Pašalić (65' Juranović), Kramarić (83' Musa). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Zlatko Dalić's men responded well to a shocking closure of the Split encounter with Wales, as they travelled to Bursa to face the ambitious, motivated Turkish national team.

And it was Croatia goalie Livaković who saved the day in the opening minutes, with two great interventions, as the hosts pushed on for the early goal. However, with 20 minutes gone, a nice Croatia move on the right was finished off by brilliant Kovačić.

Moments before the break, Pašalić tried a shot, Gunok parried, an Kovačić found the net on the rebound to make it 2:0. In the similarily intense second half, Croatia managed to preserve the lead, with Pašalić coming so close to a third.

On Tuesday, Wales defeated Latvia 1:0 at home, with Croatia ready to continue the qualifying campaign in September, at home to Latvia, due to the UEFA Nations League Final Four this June.

EURO 2024 qualifying, Group D:
1. Wales 4 (2)
2. Croatia 4 (2)
3. Turkey 3 (2)
4. Armenia 0 (1)
5. Latvia 0 (1)

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