Croatia is no longer an ordinary team, being the runners–up in the last world cup Croatia has shown quality football in recent years and has proved they are not an easy opponent.
Group D fixtures
Date |
Time ( Maldives) |
Details |
Venue |
13th June 2021 |
18:00 |
England VS Croatia |
London |
18th June 2021 |
21:00 |
Croatia vs the Czech Republic |
Glasgow |
22nd June 2021 |
00:00 |
Croatia vs Scotland |
Glasgow |
Qualifying
During the qualifying round, Croatia was in Group E with Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. Croatia Topped the group with 5 wins, 2 Draws, and losing 1. Bruno Petkovic was the top scorer for Croatia with 4 goals.
Coach: Zlatko Dalić
Dalić was the mastermind behind Croatia’s World cup success in 2018, took over from Ante Čačić in 2017, and led the team to the 2018 World Cup final. Although they lost to France in the final it was a huge success in their history.
Key players
Luka Modrić
Modric was named the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, he is not the only captain of Croatia, but he is also the playmaker for the side by holding the midfield tempo with his creativity, energy, and smooth passing.
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk Split), Simon Sluga (Luton)
Defenders: Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico de Madrid), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Duje Caleta-Car (Marseille), Dejan Lovren (Zenit), Josip Juranovic (Legia Warszawa), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Josko Gvardiol (Leipzig), Domagoj Bradaric (LOSC Lille), Mile Skoric (Osijek)
Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Milan Badelj (Genoa), Nikola Vlasic (CSKA Moskva), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Luka Ivanusec (Dinamo Zagreb)
Forwards: Ante Rebic (AC Milan), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)