MEXICO - CROATIA 0:1 (0:0)
International friendly.
AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA.
Referee: M. Escobar (Guatemala)
Goals: 0:1 - Rakitić (62' - 11m)
Cautions: -
Mexico: Ochoa, Ayala, Araujo (16' Reyes, 46' Salcedo, 67' Alvarez), Moreno, Pizarro (46' Layun), Guardado (60' Jimenez), Govea (46' Molina), Jo. Hernandez, Vela, Ja. Hernandez, Lozano. Head coach: J.C. Osorio.
Croatia: L. Kalinić, Pivarić, Ćorluka (74' Nižić), Vida, Vrsaljko (34' Jedvaj), Badelj (45+2' Bradarić), Rakitić (76' Čop), Pjaca (60' Rog), Kovačić, Rebić (72' Pašalić), Kramarić. Head coach: Z. Dalić.
Croatia national football team has already overcome Mexican friendly challenges in 1992, 1999, and 2017, with Zlatko Dalić's men repeating the pattern at the AT&T Stadium, in a preparation match for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
In Dallas, the Vatreni were without Modrić, Subašić, Mandžukić, Perišić, Brozović, and N. Kalinić, while the key moment in a mutually contested match came on 62 minutes, when captain Rakitić converted a penalty kick, following a foul on Jedvaj.
Earlier, Kramarić was close on 12 minutes when his shot went over the bar, and Rebić effort followed soon afterwards. Mexico goalie Ochoa was further tested in the closing minutes of the first half by Ćorluka and Pivarić. J.C. Osorio's men enjoyed possession, but it was Croatia that created better opportunities.
In the second half, Vela, Lozano, and Jimenez targeted L. Kalinić on Croatia's goal, with Croatia's defensive block doing some quality work. Ten minutes before time, Pašalić found open space to score the second, but aimed too high.
Moreover, head coach Dalić introduced six more players from the bench to have a clear picture of his options two months before the final preparations stage for the FIFA World Cup.
Two more friendlies are scheduled for Croatia before the journey to Russia: on 3 June in England against Brazil, and on 8 June in Osijek against Senegal.
