Croatia secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Montenegro in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier held at Maksimir Stadium. The dominant performance keeps Croatia unbeaten and firmly in control of Group L, showcasing a sharper and more composed display than in their previous outing.
Key Takeaways
- Croatia defeated Montenegro 4-0.
- Kristijan Jakić opened the scoring, followed by goals from Andrej Kramarić, an own goal by Edvin Kuc, and Ivan Perišić.
- Montenegro had a player sent off in the first half, playing with ten men for a significant portion of the match.
- Luka Modrić, nearing his 40th birthday, was instrumental in Croatia’s play.
- The win solidifies Croatia’s position at the top of Group L.
Match Summary
Croatia took the lead in the 35th minute through Kristijan Jakić, who received a pass from Luka Modrić and curled a left-footed shot into the corner. This marked Jakić’s first goal for his country. The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Andrej Kramarić tapped in from close range following a corner from Modrić and a flick-on by Josip Stanišić. Kramarić’s goal was his sixth of the qualifying campaign.
Second-Half Dominance and Late Goals
Montenegro’s challenge was further hampered when Andrija Bulatović received a second yellow card in the 42nd minute, reducing them to ten players. Croatia capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Lovro Majer adding a third goal in the 85th minute after his shot deflected into the net. The scoring was completed in injury time by Ivan Perišić, who finished from close range after the Montenegrin defense struggled to clear the ball, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 win.
Performance and Implications
Luka Modrić, playing just before his 40th birthday, was a central figure in Croatia’s midfield, dictating play. The team’s performance was described as controlled and composed, a significant improvement from their previous match. Montenegro, despite their efforts, failed to register a shot on target and struggled to contain Croatia’s attacking pressure, especially after going down a man. This victory keeps Croatia at the summit of Group L, strengthening their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
