This Wednesday, the Croatia faced the Netherlands for the semifinal of League of Nations and won 4-2 in overtime. The goal that sent the Croatian classification, which came seven minutes into the first stage of extra time, was scored by Bruno Petkovic, author of the goal that took the quarterfinal match of the last World Cup against Brazil to penalties. At the time, the Brazilian team was eliminated on penalties.
In the first half, Malen opened the scoring for the Dutch. Kramaric and Pasalic turned for the Croatians in the last stage, while Noa Lang equalized in the final minute of normal time. In extra time, Petkovic and Modric scored.
Croatia’s selection is now awaiting the definition of the second finalist of the Nations League, who will come out this Thursday, at 15:45 (Brasília time), in the match between Spain and Italy.
The grand final is scheduled for this Sunday, at 3:45 pm, at Feyenoord Stadium, in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands will now go to the dispute for third place, which will also take place on Sunday, at 10 am, against the loser of Spain and Italy.
#NationsLeague | 🇳🇱 2:3 🇭🇷#Croatia back in front: it’s Petković with a long-range effort! ⚽️#NEDCRO | #ShowHeart | #Family | #Fiery ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/QiGHJrBvrX
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 14, 2023
The game
The match got off to a good start with few chances created by either side. With a very slow pace in the first minutes, the game continued with rare opportunities throughout the first half, but with a slight superiority by the Netherlands, which reached the opponent’s area more. The hosts, therefore, scored in the 33rd minute and opened the scoring with Donyell Malen after a beautiful collective move by the team.
In the final stage, just after eight minutes, Gakpo lost the ball inside his own area and committed a penalty against Luka Modric. Kramaric hit the middle of the goal with category and left everything the same. After a few more minutes of little movement on the field, Croatia scored again and turned the game around after Ivanusec’s cross and Pasalic’s first shot, at 27.
With the unfavorable score, the Netherlands went up and started the pressure to seek a tie and force extra time. After several chances, the equalizer finally came out in the last shot, in the 50th minute, with Noa Lang after hitting the area.
In extra time, Croatia returned to the lead after seven minutes of the first half with a great goal by Bruno Petkovic from outside the area. The Netherlands had some good chances to tie the match once again, but failed in the finals and saw the opponent kill the game in the 11th minute of the second half, with Modric taking a penalty.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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