Budimir with the decisive goal

Croatia defeats Armenia to reach EURO 2024!

21.11.2023.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia national football team secured EURO 2024 berth! In the final group stage qualifier, Ante Budimir found the net to break Armenian resistance.

CROATIA - ARMENIA 1:0 (1:0)
EURO 2024 qualifying, Group D.
Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb.

Referee: I. Kružilak (Slovakia)

Goals: 1:0 - Budimir (43')

Cautions: Piloyan (87')

Croatia: Livaković, Sosa, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Stanišić (50' Juranović), Brozović, Modrić, Majer (83' Sučić), Ivanušec (46' Mario Pašalić), Kramarić (69' Marco Pašalić), Budimir (84' Baturina). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Armenia: Čančarević, Tikhnizyan, Calisir, Mkrtchyan, Arutunian, Harutyunyan (70' Dashyan), Spertsyan, K. Hovhannisyan (86' Piloyan), Zelarayan (46' Bichakhchyan), Ranos (73' Miranyan), Sevikyan (70' Serobyan). Head coach: O. Petrakov.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Zlatko Dalić's men have reached their objective and secured EURO 2024 berth, the 13th major tournament in 15 attempts since independence. That will be Croatia's sixth consecutive EURO appearance.

The final step was made by overcoming Armenia at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, with Croatia putting in a dominant performance with plenty of opportunities, but Armenia's goalkeeper Čančarević repeated his excellent performance from Erevan. On the other side, Livaković saved a dangerous Hovhannisyan effort in the first half.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

The decisive moment happened on 43 minutes, when Sosa crossed from the left, and Budimir's header beat the visiting goalie. Croatia's striker celebrated his first competitive international goal.

In the other Group D encounter, Wales and Turkey drew 1:1, confirming Turkey's top spot, with Croatia remaining at second place. Wales has secured a play-off spot.

EURO 2024 qualifying, Group D:
1. Turkey 17
2. Croatia 16
3. Wales 12
4. Armenia 8
5. Latvia 3

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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