CROATIA - SWEDEN 2:1 (1:0)
UEFA Nations League, Group A3.
Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb.
Referee: J. Beaton (Scotland)
Goals: 1:0 - Vlašić (32'), 1:1 - Berg (66'), 2:1 - Kramarić (84')
Cautions: Kovačić (2'), Brozović (45')
Croatia: Livaković, Melnjak (75' Kramarić), Ćaleta-Car, Lovren, Uremović, Brozović, Vlašić, Modrić, Kovačić (61' Pašalić), Perišić (85' Petković), Brekalo (74' Bradarić). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
Sweden: Olsen, Lustig, Jansson, Lindelöf, Augustinsson, Kuluševski, K. Olsson, Ekdal (83' S. Larsson), Forsberg, Berg, Isak (65' Claesson). Head coach: J. Andersson.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia national football team managed to return to winning ways in this year's UEFA Nations League, overcoming strong Sweden's challenge in Zagreb.
In the subborn rain, Brekalo's goal on ten minutes was ruled offside, while Modrić, Kuluševski, and Vlašić tested goalkeepers Livaković and Olsen. Perišić fierce effort went over the bar, and on 32 minutes Croatia managed to take the lead.
Modrić made a crucial interception in the midfield, Perišić bursted forward on the left, found Brekalo who left the ball to Vlašić, and it was his low effort that finished off the move (1:0).
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Vlašić had another opportunity before the break, but in the second half Sweden's performance improved, and Livaković was soon called to action on the goal-line.
Brekalo and Perišić responded for Croatia, yet Olsen was excellent between his posts, and the visitors equalized on 66 minutes with a fine move finished off by unguarded Berg.
With Claesson coming on, Sweden came close to scoring the second on several occassions, but Croatian defenders and goalie Livaković kept the ball out. Finally, ten minutes after entering the field, Kramarić scored the winner - following Ćaleta-Car's long pass forward and Perišić's skillful assist.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
France and Portugal meet later tonight, while Croatia hosts world champions France at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on Wednesday.
UEFA Nations League, Group A3:
1. Portugal 6 (2)
2. France 6 (2)
3. Croatia 3 (3)
4. Sweden 0 (3)
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
