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Croatia U21’s Late Winner: How Gojko de Prpić Secured Victory in Euro Qualifiers
Croatia U21’s Late Winner: How Gojko de Prpić Secured Victory in Euro Qualifiers
By Daniel Richardson | Editor-in-Chief, Archysport
June 12, 2024 | Updated June 12, 2024
Gojko de Prpić celebrates his dramatic 90th-minute winner against Italy U21 in Zagreb. UEFA
ZAGREB, Croatia — The Croatia U21 team needed a miracle, and Gojko de Prpić delivered one in the 90th minute. His header from a corner sealed a 1-0 victory over Italy U21 in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier, keeping Croatia’s playoff hopes alive with a single strike of the ball.
The win at the Stadion Maksimir (local time 20:00 UTC+2) was a testament to Croatia’s resilience, coming just one day after their senior national team secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Spain in the Nations League. For a team that had struggled with creativity and defensive solidity earlier in the tournament, this late goal was the perfect statement of intent.
How It Happened: The Turning Point in the 90th Minute
Italy had dominated possession for much of the match, with Croatia’s defense under pressure from Niccolò Barella and Giovanni Di Lorenzo. However, Croatia’s midfield, led by Gojko de Prpić and Mateo Kovačić, began to assert themselves in the final 20 minutes.
Prpić UEFA sub-21 Europa League 2024
The breakthrough came from a corner in the 90th minute. Croatia’s Ivan Brekalo delivered the ball into the box, where de Prpić rose above the Italian defense to power a header past Gianluca Mancini. The goal sent the Stadion Maksimir into euphoria, with Croatian fans celebrating as if the match had already ended.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
