Croatia complicates Euro 2024 qualifying after loss to Wales
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia complicates Euro 2024 qualification after loss to Wales
Croatia has complicated its Euro 2024 qualification after suffering its second loss in four days.
The World Cup bronze medalists were poor and deservedly went down 2-1 to Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday night.
Dominik Livaković once again saved Croatia from going behind early in the match when he made two important saves. First he would deny Wilson’s shot from the left, then he would tip his close-range free-kick around the post.
Although Croatia enjoyed more of the possession in the first spell, they lacked creativity and movement in the final third and could not create any chances at all to test the Welsh keeper.
Wales executed their game plan well in the first half, dropping in behind in numbers when Croatia had possession and counter-attacking at speed.
HT | 🏴 0:0 🇭🇷
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 15, 2023
No breakthrough in Cardiff, with Livaković producing two major saves in the first half.#WALCRO | #EURO2024 | #PokažiSrce | #Family | #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/sapeIEKF6V
Zlatko Dalić made three substitutions at half-time, bringing on Josip Stanišić, Mario Pašalić and Dino Drena Beljo as he looked for an opening, but it would be Wales who would deservedly open the scoring in the 47th minute.
Wilson, who had been dangerous all game, was put through on goal by Brooks and he would out-pace Domagoj Vida before calmly lobbing Livaković to make it 1-0.
Wales doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Wilson got his second when he was left unmarked in the box and he would head home a cross from James.
It was a dismal performance from Croatia as they lacked any ideas, movement and urgency from start to finish.
Vida looked off the pace in the back four, whilst Kovačić, Modrić and Brozović failed to ignite any real attacks as the visitors failed to have an attempt on target until the 75th minute when Pašalić pulled a goal back when he headed home from a corner.
Croatia searched for an equaliser and would create some half-chances, but it would not be their night and Wales would hang on to take all three points.
The loss means Croatia now sits in third place in Group D and their path to Euro 2024 in Germany has just got more complicated.
The first two teams automatically qualify for Euro 2024, whilst the third place team will have to go into a playoff tournament.
(UEFA)
Croatia faces Armenia and Latvia in their final two matches in November.
