U-19 EURO

Croatia stopped in the semi-finals but secures place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup

08.07.2026.

Croatia’s U-19 national team concluded its UEFA European Championship campaign with a 3-0 defeat against Spain in the semi-final, played at Central Park Stadium in Denbighshire. Despite the defeat, reaching the final four of Europe secured Siniša Oreščanin’s side a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in 2027.

SPAIN - CROATIA 3-0

Stadium: Central Park, Denbighshire
Referee: Bence Csonka (Hungary)
Goals: Espart 12’, Salinas 54’, Diallo 83’
Yellow cards: Chelfi 25’, Puljić 42’, Morante 45’, Čović 48’

SPAIN: Manu González, Fortea (Sangare 80’), Salinas, Rivas, Cuenca (Rodríguez 63’), Junyent (Zarate 80’), Pitarch, Espart, Yañez (Esteban 80’), Morante (Diallo 63’), Hugo

CROATIA: Kostopeč, Mandić, Mikić, Puljić, Zebić, Baković (Šimić 68’), Chelfi (Zrilić 58’), Čović, Subotić (Gabrić 68’), Šutalo (Kostelac 83’), Kusanović (Barić 83’)

Despite the 3-0 defeat to Spain in the European Championship semi-final, Croatia’s young players, led by head coach Siniša Oreščanin, achieved the main objective of the tournament by securing qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in 2027.

Spain took the lead in the 12th minute when Espart received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and found the net with a precise strike past Croatian goalkeeper Kostopeč.

In stoppage time of the first half, Croatia threatened through Šutalo, who attempted to surprise González with a long-range free-kick delivery, but the Spanish goalkeeper was alert.

Spain doubled its advantage in the 54th minute. Salinas made a late run into the box and converted a high ball to make it 2-0.

Croatia registered its first shot on target in the 65th minute when Čović tested González from a free-kick, but the Spanish goalkeeper had little trouble dealing with the attempt. In the 76th minute, Mikić also tried his luck after a good Croatian move from left to right, but González was again equal to the task.

The final score was set in the 83rd minute. Hugo made an excellent run down the right flank and found the unmarked Diallo, who calmly finished to secure Spain’s victory and a place in the final.

Although Croatia’s European journey ended in the semi-finals, the tournament remains a great success for the national team. By reaching the last four in Europe, Oreščanin’s players earned qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027, where this talented generation will have another opportunity to showcase its quality on the biggest global football stage.

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