Croatia added their first point in Euro 2020 after drawing against the Czech Republic in Hampden Park (1-1), to stay alive in Group D. Patrik Schick overtook the Czech team from the penalty spot and became the top scorer of the tournament. In the resumption, Perisic was in charge of putting the tables to leave the Croatian team with qualification options.
With no points left, Croatia faced the Czech Republic, the unexpected leader of Group D after their victory over Scotland, in their second group stage match. For the Croatian national team, the match at Glasgow’s Hampden Park was planned as a kind of match ball. Zlakto Dalic made two changes from the game against England, sat Brozovic for Brekalo and recovered Lovren , leaving Caleta-Car on the bench.
Although Croatia had to go for the game, it was the Czech Republic that was the most daring to start, with several arrivals in the Livakovic area. Patric Schick, the author of the most impressive goal of the tournament so far, pardoned in the 17th minute after receiving from Coufal, but the forward did not achieve the precision he sought in the shot.
Little by little Croatia was positioning itself in the field, with Modric at the helm and letting itself be seen more in the Czech field. Vaclik was about to get into trouble, he was slow to clear, and Rebic was on him. On the rebound, the ball was close to sneaking into the goal. There was no goal but the Milan player did take a good blow to the side. Minutes later, the Dalmatian team itself, in black in Glasgow, shot the slate with a short corner thrown by Modric to Gvuardiol, he returned it to his captain, who enabled Perisic and from his boot came the clearest option for Croatia .
Schick overtakes the Czech Republic
After the first half hour of the game in Glasgow, the Czech team took a corner and an action would arrive that would change the course of the match. Lovren and Schick jumped, the Croatian player released his arm and hit the forward’s nose with his elbow. When the Czech was being treated, the Spanish referee Del Cerro Grande received the warning from the VAR for a possible penalty. After seeing the image repeated, he did not hesitate to point it out, a decision much protested by the Croats. Schick himself was in charge of converting it with a low shot, which slipped through the left of the goalkeeper, a goal with which he overtook his team and became Pichichi.
Croatia looked for a quick reaction with a good inside pass from Brekalo to Rebik, but the Croatian player missed the shot with his left foot. He raised his hands to his face, aware of the wasted opportunity. Then Kramaric would try, but he caught Vaclik from below. The Croatian team made him want to do it but things did not work out, even Modric missed a short pass that forced Kovacic to miss Schick in injury time. He threw it himself but it went very high, so with the 0-1 they went to rest.
Perisic brings Croatia to life
Dalic moved the bench, aware of the need for changes in the restart. He sacrificed Brekalo and Rebic and put Petkovic and Ivanusec in and it didn’t take the Croatian team two minutes to show another image. Kramaric took a quick free kick in the medullary, catching the rival team distracted, Perisic unmarked, took the ball and approached the goal diagonally, leaving Coufal nailed and beating the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
The sun was rising in Glasgow and Croatia was also shining more, still demanded by the Czech forward. Vrsaljko had to clear several balls up and down. Modric was also supportive in defense, going to cover Kral’s shot, who had entered through Holes with half an hour to go. The Czech was entertained and the Croatian captain appeared providential below to send the ball to a corner.
Croatia was trying to hit the wings, with a very active Perisic in the second half. Vlasik, who had come in for Kramaric, had the chance to put the Croatian team ahead but missed. He opted for the shot when he was close to Perisic in good shooting position and alone.
Although he did not have his most prolific afternoon in attack, Modric once again showed his dedication until the last minute and cut a dangerous inside pass from Sevkic. He was not the only one who showed their solidarity in defense, as they all leaned their shoulders as the Czech Republic pressed to expand the booty of points. Petkovic had a chance to seal the comeback, but his bitten shot was repelled by the defense. Neither in the corners they could take advantage.
The chronometer advanced and it seemed that the tie pleased both of them. The Czech Republic remained leaders awaiting the derby between England and Scotland, and Croatia remained alive to play it in the last match of the group.
