Euskaraz irakurri: Kroaziak Nazioen Ligako finalerako txartela lortu du, finalerdietan Herbehereak mendean hartuta

Croatia is the first finalist of the League of Nations After his win against the Netherlands 2-4 in the semifinal that was played on Wednesday June 14 at the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam (Netherlands). The second finalist will come out of the confrontation between Italy and Spain that will be played on June 15.

The first half was even, but the Netherlands had more possession of the ball. However, Croatia warned first with a shot from Kramaric that went wide. The Netherlands’ response was immediate, although Koopmeiners shot high. It seemed that there would be no goals before the break, but the Dutch team scored in the 34th minute; Malen scored the 1-0 after beating the rival goalkeeper with a cross shot from inside the area.

In the second part, Croatia went for the tie and achieved it in the 54th minute; Gakpo committed a penalty on Modric and Kramaric made it 1-1 on the scoreboard after not forgiving from 11 meters.

The Netherlands tried to react to the rival goal, had two good chances to score, but failed to break through the opponent’s goal. In addition, the Dutch conceded a hard blow in the 72nd minute, since Pasalic scored 1-2 for Croatia; he took advantage of a Juranovic cross, finished off and beat the goalkeeper.

The Netherlands was launched for the tie in the final stretch. He had a clear chance in injury time through Gakpo, but couldn’t beat the Croatian goalkeeper. Croatia also had theirs before the end; however, he left the rival alive.

The Dutch team continued to attack, did not give up and forced extra time shortly before the referee whistled for the end: they did it with a Lang’s goal that was the most skilful in a play in which the ball was loose in the area (2-2).

Therefore, the clash went to extra time. There were no clear chances for either of the two teams in the first minutes of extra time, but there was a goal and it was scored by Croatia thanks to a goal from Petkovic who beat goalkeeper Biljow with a shot from outside the area (2-3).

In addition, the Croats were able to extend their lead in the 102nd minute through a cross that Frenkie De Jong deflected and the ball just missed their own goal.

At the start of the second part of extra time, Croatia was able to seal the semifinal, but Vlasic failed in the one-on-one against Biljow. Later, the Netherlands responded with a double chance; Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic deflected Bergwijn’s shot and Lang sent the shot wide on the rebound.

The final minutes gave way to a display from Croatia. The Netherlands was impotent before the superiority of a rival team that they sentenced in the 116th minute; Luka Modric kicked the penalty and put the final 2-4 on the scoreboard. The referee did not hesitate to assign a maximum penalty after Malacia’s clear demolition of Petkovic inside the area.

Croatia was able to round off the victory at the last minute, but the referee, after reviewing the VAR, annulled what would have been a great goal for the Croats. In the end, victory for Croatia with a final result of 2-4.

Data sheet:

2 – Netherlands: Bijlow; Dumfries (Lang, m.85), Geertruida, Van Dijk, Aké (Malacia, m.106); Wieffer (Wijnaldum, m.75), Koopmeiners, De Jong; Malen (Bergwijn, m.75), Simons (Weghorst, m.64) and Gakpo (De Roon, m.106).

4 – Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic (Stanisic, m.78), Sutalo (Petkovic, m.91), Vida, Perisic; Brozovic, Modric (Barisic, m.119), Kovacic (Majer, m.85); Pasalic, Ivanusec (Vlasic, m.78) and Kramaric (Erlic, m.90).

Goals: 1-0, m.34: Malen. 1-1, m.55: Kramaric from a penalty. 1-2, m.72: Passalic. 2-2, m.96: Lang. 2-3, m.98: Petkovic. 2-4, m.116: Modric from a penalty.

Referee: István Kovács (Romania). He booked De Jong (38), Koopmeiners (94) and Malacia (116) for the Netherlands; and Kovacic (17), Pasalic (24), Brozovic (63) and Livakovic (90) for Croatia.

Source: Eitb

Kingston

Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.