MALTA - CROATIA 1:7 (1:4)
2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group H.
National Stadium, Ta' Qali.
Referee: D. Aytekin (Germany)
Goals: 0:1 - Perišić (6'), 0:2 - Ćaleta-Car (22'), 1:2 - Brozović (31' - og), 1:3 - Pašalić (39'), 1:4 - Modrić (45+1'), 1:5 - Majer (47'), 1:6 - Kramarić (53'), 1:7 - Majer (64')
Cautions: Pepe (79')
Malta: Bonello, Pepe, Agius, Shaw (83' Micallef), Camenzuli, Teuma (62' Guillaumier), Kristensen (46' Pisani), Attard, Degabriele, Mbong (68' Dimech), Montebello (62' Satariano). Head coach: D. Mangia.
Croatia: Grbić, Sosa, Gvardiol, Ćaleta-Car, Juranović, Brozović (46' Jakić), Modrić (54' Vlašić), Pašalić (62' Livaja), Perišić (54' Oršić), Majer, Kramarić (54' Petković). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
As the FIFA World Cup qualifying is coming to a November closure, Croatia required two victories in the remaining two matches. The first objective was achieved with an excellent performance at Malta.
Six minutes gone, Kramarić selflessly found Perišić for the opener, and soon afterwards captain Modrić crossed from a set-piece, with Ćaleta-Car's header making it 2:0.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Brozović's own goal did not interfere with Croatia's plans: before the break Kramarić provided another assist, for Pašalić's tap-in (3:1), and then Pašalić's backheel opened up space for Modrić's goal.
Early in the second half, Majer scored his first international goal on the rebound, and Kramarić scored the sixth from long-distance on 53 minutes. Majer was quick to add his second for the final score (7:1).
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Russia defeated Cyprus 6:0, while Slovakia and Slovenia could not provide a winner (2:2). Therefore, Croatia and Russia will decide the group winner on Sunday.
2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group H:
1. Russia 22
2. Croatia 20
3. Slovakia 11
4. Slovenia 11
5. Malta 5
6. Cyprus 5
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
