Croatia beat the Netherlands after extra time to advance to the final

In a lively game during which each of the two teams had its highlights, Croatia qualified on Wednesday June 14 for the final of the League of Nations, at the expense of the Netherlands, after extra time (4-2) , in Rotterdam. Led in the 34th minute after a goal by Donyell Malen, the Croats came back to score on a penalty scored by Andrej Kramaric (53rd). Mario Pasalic then gave the lead to Vatreni but Noa Lang kept the Dutch hopes for the final by equalizing in added time (90th + 6). In extra time, Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric (on penalty) offered victory to Croatia, rarely brilliant but always very effective, against Orange helpless.

Coach Zlatko Dalic wanted “a medal”, he is sure to bring one back, the third for him after second place at the 2018 World Cup, and the third at the 2022 World Cup. But this time, his captain Luka Modric would like to lift the cup. The brilliant 37-year-old leader (165 caps, 24 goals), who may be living his last moments with the checkered jersey, still enjoyed himself, notably obtaining the penalty for the equalizer at 1-1 and scoring the second .

Croatia will face, on Sunday, the winner of the semi-final between Spain and Italy, scheduled for Thursday. Whatever happens, the final will offer a third different winner of the League of Nations after Portugal in 2019 and France in 2021. The Netherlands will have to settle for the match for third place.