2–1 IN VARAŽDIN

Mario Pašalić secures victory over Slovenia in the final seconds

08.06.2026.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In their final warm-up match before departing for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Croatia hosted Slovenia in Varaždin and celebrated a 2–1 victory thanks to goals from Luka Modrić and Mario Pašalić.

CROATIA – SLOVENIA 2:1 (0:0)
Friendly match
City Stadium, Varaždin

Referee: B. Csonka (Hungary)

Goals:
1–0 – Modrić (51')
1–1 – Šporar (83')
2–1 – Mario Pašalić (90+3')

Yellow cards: None

Croatia: Livaković, Gvardiol, Erlić (Šutalo 82'), Pongračić, Stanišić, Modrić (Mario Pašalić 57'), Kovačić (P. Sučić 46'), Perišić (Vlašić 65'), Kramarić (Baturina 46'), Marco Pašalić (L. Sučić 65'), Budimir (Matanović 46').
Head coach: Zlatko Dalić.

Slovenia: Oblak, Janža, Drkušić (Zec 89'), Bijol (Brekalo 64'), Ratnik, Lovrić, Čerin, Karničnik (Kuzmić 16'), Begić (Matko 64'), Šturm, Vipotnik (Šporar 64').
Head coach: Boštjan Cesar.

Following their match against Belgium in Rijeka, the Croatian national team played a friendly against Slovenia in Varaždin ahead of their departure for Washington on June 9.

After about ten minutes of play, Livaković and the goalpost denied Lovrić's effort, while Budimir, Perišić, and Kovačić created Croatia's most dangerous chances in front of Oblak's goal. Shortly before halftime, Livaković also made a fine save to stop Vipotnik's shot.

Early in the second half, the Vatreni found the breakthrough. In the 51st minute, Perišić set up Modrić on the edge of the penalty area, and the Croatian captain beat Oblak with a low strike to make it 1–0.

Livaković then produced two more excellent saves, while Vlašić and Baturina both came close to scoring. However, in the 83rd minute, Šporar capitalized on a defensive lapse and, one-on-one with Livaković, equalized for Slovenia at 1–1.

Nevertheless, in the third minute of stoppage time, Mario Pašalić found space inside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot under the crossbar to secure a dramatic 2–1 victory for Croatia.

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