SLOVAKIA - CROATIA 0:1 (0:0)
2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group H.
Narodny Stadion, Bratislava.
Referee: B. Frankowski (Poland)
Goals: 0:1 - Brozović (86')
Cautions: Pekarik (38'), Boženik (90+3), Ivušić (90+3')
Slovakia: Rodak, Hancko, Škriniar, Šatka, Pekarik (88' Strelec), Lobotka, Hamšik (62' Duda), Kucka, Weiss (80' Koscelnik), Mak (79' Jirka), Schranz (62' Boženik). Head coach: Š. Tarkovič.
Croatia: Ivušić, Sosa, Vida, Lovren, Juranović, Kovačić (84' Majer), Brozović, Oršić (62' Kramarić), Vlašić (55' Pašalić), Ivanušec (55' Perišić), Čolak (55' Livaja). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Following a draw at Russia (0:0), FIFA World Cup finalists visited another contender on the road towards Qatar, the Slovakia national team.
Croatia opened the game with several promising long-distance efforts, including Oršić's strike at the woodwork on 11 minutes, but Slovakia responded mid-half with a couple of opportunities. However, Croatia goalie Ivušić - making his first senior international appearance - stopped Mak, and Croatia defence blocked the following shots.
In the second half, Vida and Lovren's headers were not on target, with Boženik and Duda coming close on the other side.
On 86 minutes, however, Brozović volleyed home a loose ball from the edge of the box to make it 1:0, and Ivušić managed to confirm the win with two great saves, when Boženik and Kucka searched for a late equalizer.
In the remaining Group H matches, Russia won 2:0 away at Cyprus, while Slovenia defeated Malta 1:0 at home. Croatia will close this September international window on Tuesday, with a home tie against Slovenia in Split.
2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group H:
1. Russia 10
2. Croatia 10
3. Slovenia 7
4. Slovakia 6
5. Malta 4
6. Cyprus 4
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
