Croatia 4th Best International Record in 2016

Croatia end 2016 with one loss (photo credit: HNS)

Croatia ended the 2016 international season with a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in Belfast on Tuesday night to cap off one of the most successful years in the nation’s history.

Ante Čačić’s side played 13 matches in 2016, winning 9 of them and recording just one defeat at the hands of Portugal in extra-time at the 2016 EUROS in France.

Not only was 2016 one of the most successful in the nation’s history, but it put Croatia 4th in the world for their record. Croatia accumulated 76.9% of possible points in 2016, with only three other nations in the world with a better record, writes Jutarnji list.

Croatia’s only loss in 2016 was to Portugal in extra-time (photo credit: UEFA.com)

Iran, led by Carlos Queiroz were on top with 87.9% of points after winning 11 matches and drawing 2 in 2016. In second place on the list was European vice-champions France with 82.3% of available points won. Mexico were in third place followed by Croatia.

Coach Ante Čačić has proved many critics wrong (photo credit: HNS)

Croatia and France were the only two European sides to feature in the Top 10. Germany were in 11th place, whilst European champions Portugal were 12th.

Croatia scored 32 goals in 13 games in 2016, the most goals per game in its history, and it put them in 8th place for most goals. Portugal were first, scoring 42 goals in 17 games, which was 4 more games than Croatia. Croatia jump to 5th place on the list when based on matches played. Croatia conceded just 6 goals in 2016 in 13 games at an average of 0.46 per game.

Croatia beat defending champions Spain at Euro (photo: UEFA)

2016 was the fourth most successful in Croatian football history. All three previous were under the reign of Slaven Bilić. In his first year in charge in 2007 he managed to win 84.8% of available points. In 2010 he went through the whole season unbeaten.

Top 12 Nations in 2016 (with 7 or more wins)

1. Iran – 11 matches, 9 wins, 2 draw, 0 losses
2. France – 17 matches, 13 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
3. Mexico – 15 matches, 11 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
4. CROATIA – 13 matches, 9 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
5. South Korea – 11 matches, 8 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
6. Brazil – 12 matches, 8 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
7. Uzbekistan – 12 matches, 9 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses
8. Japan – 10 matches, 7 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
9. Argentina – 15 matches, 10 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses
10. Costa Rica – 12 matches, 8 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses
11. Germany – 16 matches, 10 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses
12. Portugal – 17 matches, 10 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses