Croatia’s unbeaten run in qualifying ends as Ukraine win in Miskolc

Croatia created the first threat in the fifth minute. Segečić and Jagušić combined down the right, with Jagušić attempting to find a teammate with a cutback, but the Ukrainian defence reacted in time and cleared the ball for a corner.

Ukraine took the lead in the ninth minute. The hosts won possession and built an attacking move, with the ball delivered from the right and reaching Pyshchur, who controlled it before sending it into the net to put Ukraine ahead.

The first chance of the second half fell to the young Vatreni. Šotiček did most of the work down the right before finding Segečić on the edge of the penalty area, but his effort went wide.

In the 56th minute, Ukraine had a great opportunity, but Toni Silić produced an excellent save. Hryshkevych shot from the right and tried to find the far top corner, but Silić managed to get his fingertips to the ball and deflect it onto the crossbar, keeping Croatia from conceding a second goal.

Four minutes later, the young Vatreni threatened again. Jagušić and Segečić both had efforts from inside the penalty area, but both shots were blocked by the Ukrainian defence. Croatia increased the pressure and looked for a way back into the match.

Jagušić had another attempt in the 75th minute. The Croatian international shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball went over the crossbar.

The series of blocked shots continued as the Ukrainian defence stood firm. From the resulting corner, Prpić attempted a header, but goalkeeper Krapyvtsov kept Ukraine in front with a superb reflex save.

The scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.

“Regardless of the fact that we had pointed out that a difficult match awaited us, I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed with the first half because we came into the game too relaxed and were not ourselves. We were fortunate to have Silić, who kept us alive, so after our conversation in the dressing room, we came out for the second half as a completely different team, the one the fans have watched throughout these qualifiers. I am satisfied with the second half, but not with the first.

“Most importantly, we played against a strong and good Ukraine side that wanted to show they also have a good team. At the start of the qualifiers, we rightly said that they would be one of the main contenders for top spot. We are now preparing for Lithuania. There is not much time, but we still have one more match to play,” said head coach Ivica Olić.

Young players and substitutions

“Overall, I am very satisfied with the entire second half and with the impact of the fresh players — Bukvić, Pavić and Canjuga, and later Hodak. They brought energy and changed the game. We had several great chances and half-chances. Ukraine defended fantastically, with their goalkeeper making several excellent saves in the second half. I hope that we will start the match against Lithuania properly from the outset and that we will be the team dominating for the full 90 minutes,” Olić added.

Croatia remain top of the group with 16 points, four more than second-placed Türkiye and third-placed Ukraine, who have played all of their matches. Hungary have six points, while Lithuania have two.

Croatia will play their final qualifying match in four days, away to Lithuania.

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