A deep bow to Luka Modric. The metronome kicked Croatia with an astonishing shot – in one time with the outside right – to the 1/8th finals. The crucial moment in the 3-1 win against Scotland, which is eliminated.
Croatia – Scotland in a nutshell:
- Key moment: With half an hour left on the clock, both Scotland and Croatia still have a chance at the 1/8th finals. But then Luka Modric thinks his moment has come. With a fantastic kick, outside the foot, he blasts the Croats to a 2-1 lead and the next round.
- Man of the match: Modric’s career with the national team will have at least one more extension and that is what Real Madrid’s top class player has ensured. His world goal was fabulous and he added an assist for Perisic’s 3-1 on top of that.
- Remarkable: After more than 23 years, Scotland was finally at a major tournament again, but again it did not make it past the group stage. A sad tradition for the Scots, because in 11 participations in major tournaments (3 European Championships and 8 World Cups) they have never reached the knockout stage.
Summary of Croatia – Scotland (3-1)
McGregor sparks Scottish hopes
Win or pack the bags. The assignment could hardly have been clearer for both Croatia and Scotland. Only with a three-pointer did both teams have a chance to reach the 1/8th finals. Scotland did not seem to intend to strand in the group stage again in its third European Championship participation and started very brightly.
The Croats got away well after just 5 minutes when Adams was a fraction too late to tap a cross from McGinn into the goal. But all in all, the Scots could create too little real danger on target and after more than fifteen minutes they got the lid on the nose. Perisic headed a Juranovic cross back to Vlasic, who knocked Marshall with a well-aimed low bang.
The goal against took the wind out of the Scottish sails, while the Croats suddenly played with confidence. Modric’s long shot went just over the goal. Around the half hour Scotland could threaten again. The Croats got equally warm, but McGinn’s shot was ultimately too weak to cause problems for Livakovic.
The Croats had everything neatly under control, or so it seemed. Shortly before half time, Vida managed to clear the ball badly, right into McGregor’s feet. With a low bang in the corner it detonated Hampden Park. Their first goal at this European Championship suddenly sparked hope among the Scots.
Croats and Scots balance each other out:
Modric’s class comes to the fore
No strong start from Scotland in the 2nd half, this time Croatia got off to the best start. After only 5 minutes, Vlasic presented Gvardiol with an excellent chance of 2-1, but she twisted her neck with a bad touch and Marshall was able to intervene.
On the hour, the Scots also had a huge opportunity, which literally fell from the sky. McGinn had the 2-2 to his foot on an Armstrong cross. Then on his right foot, because he chose his left and extended the ball next to the goal.
A missed opportunity for the Scots who broke them down immediately afterwards when Modric disbanded his devils. With a wonderful kick outside of the foot, he left Marshall without a chance and he put the Croats back on course for the 1/8th finals. A beauty of a goal, no team can withstand so much class.
With more than 10 minutes to go, the books could go all the way for Scotland. Perisic ruffed Tierney at the first post on a corner from Modric and headed his 2nd European Championship goal past Marshall. End of story for Scotland, vice world champion Croatia can write a new chapter.
Beautiful goal from Modric, and Perisic closes the books
Bad news for the Red Devils
The victory of the vice world champion is bad news for the Red Devils. Because this increases the chance that Belgium will encounter an opponent from the heavy group F (with Portugal, France and Germany) in the 1/8th finals.
“Danger for every team if we play like this”
- Luka Modric (Croatia): “This goal means a lot to me, but the way we played is worth more to me. I’m glad my goal helped, although the most important thing is that we won. After this performance, we could have left the field with our heads held high even in the event of a defeat. We are satisfied with our race and qualifying for the next round. After our first two matches we were not satisfied, we knew we could do better. If we play like today we are a danger to every team.”
- John McGinn (Scotland): “I’m devastated that we didn’t push through. But I am also very proud of our achievement. We just bumped into an excellent team with a lot of experience.”
- Callum McGregor (Scotland): “The boys are devastated. They gave everything, the supporters were fantastic too. Croatia just had more quality in the end.”
- 90+5′
- 90+5′ second half
- 90+3′
- 89′
- 87′
Adams reappears dangerously in front of goal
- 84′
- 84′
- 84′
- 81′
- 81′
- 80′
Books for Scotland! Perisic heads the 3-1 in goal
- 78′
- 77′
- 76′
- 75′
Scotland is looking for the equalizer
- 74′
- 73′
- 72′
- 71′
- 71′
