Netherlands Silenced, Croatia Waits For Spain Or Italy In UEFA Nations Cup Final

The Croatian national team qualified for the UEFA Nations League final by expelling the Netherlands. (Photo: Twitter/@EURO2024)

JAKARTA - The Croatian national team confirmed that they qualified for the 2022/2023 UEFA Nations League final. Tickets to the top party were achieved thanks to the victory over the Dutch semifinal match at the De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam, Thursday, June 15, early morning WIB.

In that match Croatia silenced the Dutch with a score of 4-2. Croatia's winning goal was born through Andrej Kramaric, Mario Pasalic, Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands scored goals through Donyell Malen and Noah Lang, according to UEFA's notes reported via Antara.

Furthermore, Croatia will appear in the UEFA Nations League final, Sunday, June 18, facing the winner of another semifinal match that brings together Spain and Italy.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands will compete in the third place contesting party which will be held the day before at the De Grolsch Veste Stadium, Enschede, Netherlands.

The Netherlands was actually able to create many chances in the match by recording 11 kicks, five of which were on target, but Croatia was more effective at maximizing the chances they got.

In the first half the Netherlands took the initiative to attack and were able to steal the lead in the 35th minute through a goal scored by Donyell Malen who took advantage of a pass from Mats Wieffer.

Furthermore, the Dutch tried to find additional goals in the remaining time of the first half, but until halftime, the 1-0 score for the hosts' advantage remained.

In the second half Croatia had a golden opportunity to equalize when Dutch midfielder Cody Gakpo fouled the box by pulling Luka Modric's shirt.

Andrej Kramaric, who came forward as the executioner, successfully carried out his duties after his penalty could not be read by Dutch goalkeeper Justin Bijlow so the score changed to 1-1 in the 55th minute.

Successfully equalizing, Zlatko Dalic's squad was able to take the lead in the 73rd minute after Mario Pasic broke into the Dutch goal by using a pass from Luka Ivanusec.

Turning behind, the Netherlands continued to press Croatian defense and only paid off in the second half extra time through a goal scored by Noah Lang so that the score changed to 2-2 in the 90+6 minute.

The 2-2 draw lasted until the second half was over and made the match proceed to an extension of 2 x 15 minutes.

Furthermore, Croatia managed to take the lead again in the 98th minute when Bruno Petkovic's long-range shot could not be blocked by Bijlow.

Croatia had a golden opportunity to add to their lead after being awarded a penalty after Petkovic was tackled bytenu Malacia in the box.

Modric successfully carried out his duties after the kick from the Real Madrid midfielder was able to break into the net from the Netherlands and solidify Croatia's move to the final.