Vlašić, Petković, Kramarić, Majer

Croatia comes back from behind to overcome Egypt and lift ACUD Cup trophy

26.03.2024.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia national football team has won the international ACUD Cup tournament in Cairo, defeating the hosts Egypt 4:2 in the final.

EGYPT - CROATIA 2:4 (1:1)
ACUD Cup, final.
New Administrative Capital Stadium, Cairo.

Referee: A. Diouf (Senegal)

Goals: 1:0 - Rabia (6'), 1:1 - Vlašić (21'), 1:2 - Petković (57'), 1:3 - Kramarić (77'), 1:4 - Majer (86'), 2:4 - El Shami (90+4')

Cautions: Rabia (27')

Egypt: Gabaski, Hamdi (68' Fathi), Abdelmonem, Rabia, Hany, Afsha, Ateya (85' Atef), Tawfik (46' Kouka), Trezeguet (79' El Shami), Marmoush (80' Sherif), Mohamed (80' Shalaby). Head coach: H. Hassan.

Croatia: Labrović (46' Kotarski), Gvardiol (60' Juranović), Pongračić, Vida, Stanišić, Brozović (46' Kovačić), Modrić (60' Marco Pašalić), Vlašić (68' Mario Pašalić), Pjaca, Majer, Petković (68' Kramarić). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Following the semifinal penalty shootout victory over Tunisia, Croatia faced the hosts Egypt in the final of the international tournament in Cairo, and it was Egypt who took the early lead.

Rabia scored from close range, but Vlašić took care of the equalizer, with Vlašić taking care of the equalizer, sending a great strike under the bar on 21 minutes from the edge of the box.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the second half, Petković headed in following another Modrić's assist, and Kramarić made it 3:1 with another header on 77 minutes. Majer thus provided an assist - and a goal, in the closing minutes. Egypt scored its second in added time via El Shami.

Croatia then lifted the trophy, ready to meet again in May, before the EURO 2024 in Germany. In June, they will face North Macedonia and Portugal before departing to the final tournament.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

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