In the first preparatory match before the World Cup, the Croatian football team beat Colombia 2-1 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
It was the first meeting between the “Fire” and Colombia, the current South American runner-up. It started bad, but it ended great.
Colombia took the lead in the second minute of the game with a goal John Arias. Croatia responded four minutes later with a goal Luka Vuškovićand in the 43rd minute he turned the score around Igor Matanović, writes Hina.
There were no goals in the second half, and Petar Musa hit the crossbar twice.
On the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, from 02:00 Croatian time at the same stadium, The Vatrene are waiting for a match against Brazil who lost to France 1-2 tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Kylian Mbappe (32) and Hugo Ekitike (65) scored for the French, while Bremer (79) scored for Brazil.
On the other hand Colombia will play against France in three days at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Croatia will play more before the WC two friendly matches at homeon June 2 in Rijeka against Belgium, and on June 7 in Varaždin against Slovenia.
Croatia will open the world fair in Dallas against England June 17 at 10:00 p.m. Croatian time. The next match will be played on June 23 against Panama in Toronto (June 24 at 01:00 Croatian time), and the last game in the group on June 27 in Philadelphia against Ghanastarting at 11:00 p.m. Croatian time.
Changes in composition
Zlatko Dalić surprised with the composition by sending a “colorful” line-up to the field. Luka Modrić remained on the benchand he got the captain’s armband Ivan Perišić.
He was at the door Dominik Livakovicand they made up the last three Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković and Marin Pongracić. They were in a relationship Nikola Moro and Petar Sučićon the hips Marco Pašalić and Ivan Perišić. They got their chance on the wings Mario Pašalić and Nikola Vlašićwhile he was at the top of the attack Igor Matanović.
There were no standard first-team players in the lineup Josip Šutal, Andrej Kramarić, Josip Stanišić and Luka Modrić, nor Ante Budimir.
On the other hand, Lorenzo decided to field his strongest line-up, with all the starters included James Rodriguezwho started despite little minutes at Minnesota United, where he played only a few minutes after four months of inactivity.
Bad start – express return
It started badly, Colombia took the lead in the second minute of the game. Johan Mujica did a great job on the left side with a cross in front of the goal, Luis Diaz extended to Jhon Arias who immediately shot. On the way to the goal, the ball bounced off Perišić and tricked Livaković.
Croatia responded four minutes later. Vušković shot from more than 25 metersthe ball bounced off Jhon Lucumi on the way to the goal and tricked Camilo Vargas for 1-1. It was Vušković’s debut in the Vatreni jersey in his third appearance.
Colombia had another great opportunity in the 12th minute, but Diaz shot wide. In the 29th minute, the Colombians scored missed the impossible. James Rodriguez stole the ball about 30 meters from the Croatian goal, then played brilliantly past Luis Diaz who assisted Luis Suarez, and the latter missed the empty goal, or rather missed the ball. In the continuation of the action, Arias hit the outer part of the net from a difficult situation.
Five minutes later Livakovic saved us. Diaz shot, but the goalkeeper of Dinamo Zagreb was ready. The end of the first part belonged to the Croatian players. First, Perišić had a great shot in the 42nd minute, but Vargas saved. In the continuation of the action, “Vatreni” won the corner from which they took the lead. Marco Pašalić threw in, Vargas was “too short”, and Matanović scored with his head for 2-1.
Dalić introduced Musa and Stanišić at the beginning of the second halfwhile Perišić and Matanović moved to the bench. In the 56th minute, Diaz made his way down the wing, putting a dangerous ball in front of the goal, but the Croatian defense eliminated the danger.
In the 61st minute, “Vatreni” had a great opportunity. Sučić played Musa into the area, and the Croatian attacker was beaten violently, but his shot was stopped by the goal post. In the 62nd minute, a new substitution was made by Dalić. Vlašić and Petar Sučić left the game, a entered Baturina and Luka Sučić. Just four minutes later, Musa shook the goal frame again.
Colombia could have equalized in the 73rd minute, Cordoba practically in the first touch with the ball after entering the game, threatened dangerously, but missed the goal. In the 77th, Sanchez also headed in, but without the slightest danger.
In the last 12 minutes, Modrić, Jakić and Kramarić also got a chanceand Erlić, Marco and Mario Pašalić left, and Fruk entered instead of Mora seven minutes before the end.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: JC Ruiz/Sipa USA/Pixsell)
