Clinical Croatia Controls the Game in Varazdin
The Croatian national football team took a big step toward securing their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 3-0 win over Gibraltar in Varazdin on Monday night. This UEFA Group L qualifier showcased Croatiaโs squad depth, tactical discipline, and determination as they eased past a struggling Gibraltar side.
The match marked a special milestone for head coach Zlatko Daliฤ, who oversaw his 100th game in charge. Before kick-off, he received a commemorative plaque, adding a personal moment to the occasion held in his hometown. Daliฤ opted for several changes in the starting XI, choosing to rest key stars such as Luka Modriฤ, Ivan Periลกiฤ, Josko Gvardiol, and Andrej Kramariฤ. Dominik Kotarski started in goal, replacing the regular No.1, Dominik Livakoviฤ.
Despite the rotation, Croatia started strongly and immediately placed Gibraltar under pressure. The first big chance came in the 19th minute, when Gibraltarโs goalkeeper Jaylan Hankins made an excellent save to deny Croatia. Four minutes later, Mario Paลกaliฤ rattled the post. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Paลกaliฤ provided a precise assist to Toni Fruk, who headed in to open the scoring.
Croatia continued their attacking display, finishing the first half with a flurry of corners. Although Lovro Majer missed a penalty early in the second half, the hosts remained in control. Luka Suฤiฤ doubled the lead in the 78th minute with a composed finish, and in added time, Martin Erliฤ headed in the third goal from Croatiaโs 18th corner of the match.
Qualification Outlook: Croatia Just One Point Away from Securing Spot
With this win, Croatia now sits three points ahead of second-placed Czechia in Group L. The Czech team has only one match remaining, while Croatia has two โ at home against the Faroe Islands on November 14 and away to Montenegro on November 17. A single point from either game will be enough to guarantee Croatiaโs spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Coach Daliฤโs side is well-positioned to qualify, thanks to a strong campaign that has seen them rise to the top of the group. The squad has balanced experienced veterans with emerging young talent, proving effective even when several stars are rotated.
On the other hand, Gibraltar remain at the bottom of the group, without a single point and with only two goals scored throughout the qualifying rounds. Their lack of attacking threat and defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed in Varazdin.
As Croatia looks ahead to the final two games, the team is in excellent shape โ both physically and tactically โ to secure their place in yet another World Cup, continuing a run that has seen them reach the finals in 2018 and the semifinals in 2022.
