JAKARTA – The Croatian national team confirmed their move to the 2026 World Cup finals after winning a convincing 3-1 victory over the Faroe Islands in the ninth match of Group L of the European Zone Qualification at HNK Rijeka Stadium on Saturday morning WIB.
Two veteran figures, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic again played a major role in the victory that led Croatia to qualify for the seventh time since 1994.
Josko Gvardiol, Petar Musa, and Nikola Vlasic each scored for Croatia. Meanwhile, the Faroe Islands had the lead thanks to David Turi’s goal.
These results ensure Croatia qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals after their points could no longer be copied by other teams.
Modric et al are currently top of the group with 19 points, six points ahead of the Czechs in second place with one game remaining, as reported by the official FIFA website.
Croatia appeared pressing from the start, but was surprised by Faroe’s quick goal in the 15th minute.
Taking advantage of losing Josko Gvardiol’s ball, Geza David Turi made a solo run before firing a shot that turned after hitting Luka Vuskovic, tricking goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
However, Croatia only needed eight minutes to equalize.
Gvardiol made up for his mistake by scoring a goal through chaos in the penalty box to change the score to 1-1.
Faroe, who has impressed in the last five matches, again threatened with a quick counter-attack, but Livakovic was quick to thwart Hanus Sorensen’s chances.
Croatia tried to retaliate through Modric’s long-range shot, but the score lasted until the break.
Entering the second half, Croatia increased the intensity of the game. Andrej Kramaric’s chances were still wide, but the deadlock finally broke out in the 57th minute.
Josip Stanisic’s long pass was received by Petar Musa, who with one control broke into the Lamhauge goal to bring Croatia back ahead 2-1 his first goal for Vatreni.
After the advantage was maintained into one hour of the match, Modric was pulled out and replaced by Nikola Vlasic.
Perisic, who remains energetic at the age of 36, then made an important contribution.
In the 70th minute, he successfully passed the opposing defender and sent a mature pass that Vlasic cheated into Croatia’s third goal.
Croatia came close to adding to the lead through Kramaric who twice failed to take advantage of chances, including a curling shot that hit the post.
Faroe was still fighting back, but Livakovic solidly dismissed several opponent opportunities. Until the game was over, the score 3-1 did not change.
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