Croatia stands on the brink of their first major title, having triumphed over the Netherlands in a thrilling Uefa Nations League semi-final encounter.
In a dramatic game held in Rotterdam, substitute Bruno Petkovic unleashed a long-range strike in extra time, while Luka Modric’s successful penalty kick sealed the victory.
The match was a rollercoaster ride, with Noa Lang’s 96th-minute equalizer denying Croatia a win in regular time.
Nonetheless, Zlatko Dalic’s team displayed resilience and determination. They now eagerly await the final, where they will face either Italy or Spain. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will compete in the third-place play-off.
Speaking to Croatia’s Nova TV after the match, Dalic expressed his joy, stating:
“It’s a victory for the Croatian people. We defeated the Netherlands in front of their own fans, earning Croatia another medal. This achievement is simply unimaginable and deserving. Undoubtedly, this triumph will be etched in history.”
Croatia appeared destined for the final after Andrej Kramaric’s successful penalty kick and a splendid volley from Mario Pasalic gave them the lead, overturning Donyell Malen’s opener.
However, Lang’s late hooked finish leveled the score at 2-2.
Undeterred, Croatia rallied, and it was Petkovic, introduced at the start of extra time, who delivered a sensational strike, leaving Netherlands goalkeeper Justin Bijlow with no chance.
The final blow came from the 37-year-old maestro Modric, who confidently converted a penalty with four minutes remaining. Modric earned the spot-kick after a clumsy challenge from Tyrell Malacia.
This momentous victory propels Croatia to only their second international final, the previous one being the 2018 World Cup, where they suffered a 4-2 defeat against France.