Nikola Vlasic (17th) gave the Croatians the lead at Hampden Park, while the Scots equalized through Callum McGregor (42nd) just before the break. After the break, goals from stars Luca Modric (62nd) and Ivan Perisic (77th) ensured the much-needed success. In the round of 16 the Croatians will continue on Monday (6 p.m.) in Copenhagen against the second in Group E (Sweden, Slovakia, Spain and Poland). The Scots finished their first title fights since the 1998 World Cup with one point as bottom of the group.
After the disappointing performance so far, Croatian team boss Zlatko Dalic switched his team mainly on the offensive. Josip Brekalo and Ante Rebic had to give way in comparison to the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic, for them Vlasic and Bruno Petkovic started. For the Scots, Stuart Armstrong moved into the starting line-up, replacing shooting star Billy Gilmour. The 20-year-old – still elected man of the game in the 0-0 draw against England on Friday – had then tested positive for the corona virus.
Cold shower for dominant bulkheads
The hosts got off to an ambitious start at Hampden Park, with Scotland earning two corners in the first minute. The first good chance had Che Adams, who narrowly missed a cross from John McGinn and was then directed into the goal by goalie Dominik Livakovic (6th).
With their first really dangerous attack, however, the Croatians took the lead and gave the Scots, who had dominated until then, a cold shower. Perisic let a Modric cross ricochet off to Vlasic, who fell past two defenders into the lower left corner (17th).
Vlasic scores 1-0 for Croatia (17th minute)
Nikola Vlasic chases the ball flat into the lower left corner when falling.
With the hit, the match became more open, and the Croatians had a chance to make it 2-0 with a Modric long-range shot. Keeper David Marshall was just able to steer the ball over the goal with his fingertips (22nd). On the other hand, Livakovic saved the guests from equalizing in a volley from McGinn (24th).
McGregor puts an end to the Scottish goal doldrums
As a result, the Croatians seemed to take control of the game, but the Scots scored their first goal at this European Championship after almost two and a half games – as the last of all 24 teams. McGregor picked up a rebound and hit the left corner from the edge of the penalty area (42.). With 1: 1 – a result that would have meant the premature end of the EM for both teams – it went into the break.
McGregor levels off (42nd minute)
Callum McGregor shoots from around 16 meters and hits perfectly to equalize.
After Scott McKenna had replaced the ailing Grant Hanley in the 33rd minute, both coaches waived substitutions at halftime.
Dream goal from the “King of Croatia”
The Croatians had the first opportunity after the break: Josko Gvardiol made a perfect start into a hole pass from Vlasic, but put the ball too far forward and collided with Marschall in the penalty area (50th). The Scots were also dangerous in a counter-attack, but a direct decrease from McGinn passed the gate by a hair’s breadth (59th).
In the 62nd minute, Modric once more brought the guests back onto the road to victory. The world footballer of 2018 circled a wonderful kick from just outside the penalty area into the Scottish goal after combining several stations and thus underpinned his nickname “King of Croatia”.
Perisic puts an end to Scottish hopes
The Scots, who were two goals away from the round of 16, did not give up, but they did not see more than half chances by Scott McTominay (73rd) and the recently substituted Ryan Fraser (74th).
In the 77th minute, the Scottish dreams of surviving a preliminary round at a major tournament for the first time were finally over. Perisic carefully extended a Modric corner via the inside bar to make it 3-1 into the goal. With this hit, the Croatians even pushed the Czech Republic from second place in the group.
Perisic increased to 3: 1 (77th minute)
Ivan Perisic extended a Luka Modric corner to make it 3-1.
Voices for the game:
Zlatko Dalic (Croatia coach): “We slacked off after the 1-0 win. But we kept calm. We didn’t give up, believed that we could do it. We played calmly and with concentration. It was only a matter of time before we would score a goal. “
Steve Clarke (Scotland coach): “Today we played against a team with a lot of tournament experience. You knew how to play a third group game, we maybe not. That’s why we’re going home and Croatia is further. I promise that there won’t be another 23 years before the next finals. “
Luka Modric (Captain and goalscorer Croatia): “We weren’t satisfied after the first two games. We knew we could play better and we showed that. If we play like that, we are dangerous for any opponent. “
John McGinn (Midfielder Scotland): “I’m devastated. We wanted to be the first Scottish team to make it through the preliminary round. We had hoped it would be a prelude, and now it’s an end. “
Callum McGregor (Scotland scorer): “In the end they had too much quality, you could see that with Modric’s goal. It is then already difficult to advance on such a level. We played a good game and learned a lot. But of course we are disappointed. “
European Football Championship, Group D, third matchday
Tuesday:
Croatia – Scotland 3: 1 (1: 1)
Glasgow, Hampden Park, 12,000 spectators, SR Rapallini (ARG)
Goal sequence:
1:0 Vlasic (17.)
1: 1 McGregor (42.)
2:1 Modric (62.)
3:1 Perisic (77.)
Croatia: Livakovic – Juranovic, Lovren, Vida, Gvardiol (71./Barisic) – Kovacic, Brozovic – Perisic (81./Rebic), Modric, Vlasic (76./Ivanusec) – Petkovic (71./Kramaric)
Scotland: Marshall – O’Donnell (84./Patterson), McTominay, Hanley (33./McKenna), Tierney, Robertson – Armstrong (70./Fraser), McGinn, McGregor – Dykes, Adams (84./Nisbet)
Yellow cards: Lovren or McKenna
The best: Vlasic, Modric, Perisic or McGinn, Tierney, Robertson
