Netherlands 2-4 Croatia: Luka Modric and Bruno Petkovic score in extra-time to book Nations League final place
In typically dogged and clever style, Croatia beat the Netherlands in what eventually became a terrific match to set up a Nations League final against either Spain or Italy.
Neither side looked much like scoring in a first half high on effort but low on quality. But then on 34 minutes Netherlands strung a few passes together and Teun Koopmeiners made use of the spare man that created, sliding in Donyell Malen who cracked home a low finish into the far corner.
Croatia livened up after the break such that when their goal came it was not a surprise – though in fairness to them they’ve been excellent at scoring unexpectedly. All it took was a careless touch and foul from Cody Gakpo, Luka Modric went down in the box, and Andrej Kramaric slotted home the penalty.
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Then on 73 minutes, Croatia made their quality tell again, Luka Ivanusec creating a goal for Mario Pasalic. But just as the Dutch jig looked up, and in the sixth minute of injury-time, Noa Lang planted a gorgeous finish into the far side-netting to force extra-time amid incredible scenes in the De Kuip.
No team in international football knows more about how to win than Croatia, who righted themselves then found a glorious goal from Bruno Petkovic, his effort ruling low and hard into the corner.
As the Netherlands committed more men forwards, they pressed for a killer goal which eventually came when Modric stroked home a penalty after Petkovic was fouled by Tyrell Malacia.
It was not always pretty, but there is perhaps no side in the world better at shading victories, and whoever faces them on Sunday will know they are in for a battle.
TALKING POINT
However, the players have just slogged through a hard season of elite sport, played a World Cup in the middle of it, and it’s now the middle of June in the European summer.
As such, they should be away with their friends or families, because what they do is difficult, physically and mentally – they need a proper break to recuperate and regenerate. So it’s not right to make them play this tournament now, and it’s absolutely not right that they try to generate artificial import by insisting on extra-time.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Luka Modric (Croatia): It wasn’t one of his best performances but his team largely dominated, he was major reason why, and he also won a crucial penalty then scored another himself. A beautiful footballer and a total genius.
PLAYER RATINGS
Netherlands: Bijlow 6, Dumfries 6, Geertruida 5, Van dijk 6, Ake 6, Wieffer 5, De Jong 6, Malen 6, Koopmeiners 6, Simons 5, Gakpo 4. Subs: Weghorst 6, Bergwijn 6, Wijnaldum 6, Lang 7, Malacia 5, De Roon 5.
Croatia: Livakovic 7, Juranovic 5, Sutal0 6, Vida 6, Perisic 7, Modric 8, Brozovic 7, Kovacic 6, Pasalic 7, Kramaric 7, Ivanusec 6. Subs: Petkovic 8, Vlasic 6, Majer 7, Erlic 6, Barisic 6, Stanisic 6.
KEY MOMENTS
34’ – GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Croatia (Malen) That was not coming but here it is! Dumfries delays a wide free-kick because he’s got no options but the ball eventually winds up with Gakpo down the left, who works it with Simons and suddenly the Dutch have an overload in the box. The ball goes square to Koopmeiners, he slides it one more to Malen, and the finish is low, hard and true across Livakovic and into the bottom corner.
53’ – PENALTY TO CROATIA!
Gakpo takes a poor touch inside his own box, doesn’t see Modric coming, and when he applies hands to body, the wily old Gail Platt goes down, leaving the ref with no option but to point to the spot.
55’ – GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 Croatia (Kramaric pen) The keeper dives left so Kramaric curls centre, with elevation. Nicely done. .
73’ – GOAL! Netherlands 1-2 Croatia (Pasalic) Holland give it away and Croatia counter, keeping the ball alive down the left before Ivanusec pokes a ball into the middle which Pasalic turns past Bijlow with a boot-ankle combo.
90+6’ – GOAL! Netherlands 2-2 Croatia (Lang) A ball into the box, it bounces off heads, there are swings, charges, and then, out of nowhere, Malen plants a side-footer high across Livakovic and into the far side-netting! That’s a beauty and it’s absolute scenes at the De Kuip! This is the greatest feeling known to mankind!
98’ – WHAT A GOAL! Netherlands 2-3 Croatia (Petkovic) He’s done it again! The man who scored against Brazil picks up the ball on the left, cuts inside, and curls a strong, low shot from 25 yards that takes the skin off Van Dijk’s thigh and wraps itself around the near post and into the side-netting. Croatia are something else!!
116’ – PENALTY CROATIA!
A mistake from De Roon, Malacia chases the ball and slides through Petkovic.
118’ – GOAL! Netherlands 2-4 Croatia (Modric pen) He opens his body and caresses neatly into the side-netting. Game over.
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