Croatia Qualifies For Round Of 16 After Defeating Scotland 3-1

Team Croatia (Photo: Twitter @HNS_CFF)

JAKARTA - The Croatian national team qualified for the round of 16 of Euro 2020 as runners-up in Group D after silencing Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, June 22 local time (Wednesday, June 23 eastern Indonesia time).

As reported by Antara, Wednesday, June 23, Scotland's quick lead through Nikola Vlasic was rewarded by Callum McGregor, but captain Luka Modric and other senior players Ivan Perisic sealed Croatia's victory.

Along with the 1-0 result recorded by England over the Czech Republic in another match, Croatia not only qualified for the round of 16 but also finished runners-up in the final standings of Group D.

The reason is, Croatia has an overall goal difference advantage over the Czechs even though the two teams both collect four points and are head-to-head playing a draw when they meet, according to the official UEFA website.

Equally burdened with the need to win to open the chance to qualify for the last 16, both teams appeared aggressive from the start but Scotland's opportunity through John McGinn's sharp cross could still be countered by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Unfortunately for Scotland who acted as hosts, they were again behind in front of their own fans when Nikola Vlasic could meet Ivan Perisic's header with a measured shot to beat goalkeeper David Marshall and put Croatia ahead in the 17th minute.

Croatia's lead was almost doubled in the 22nd minute when Modric fired in a dangerous long-range shot but Marshall brushed it over the bar and the referee oddly missed a corner.

Two minutes later, Scotland almost scored a reply, unfortunately Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams failed to meet McGinn's header. The wild ball was back in Scottish possession, but this time McGinn's shot was tamed by Livakovic.

Scotland was finally able to score their first goal at Euro 2020 through McGregor, three minutes before the break.

Captain Andy Robertson's cross was blocked by the Croatian defense, but McGregor's wild ball was soon snatched from the edge of the box to cross the crowd before finding the net for the visitors to make it 1-1 at halftime.

Five minutes into the second half the hosts were forced to hold their breath when Marshall came back out of the net, fortunately, this time the 36-year-old goalkeeper took an important step to seal Vlasic's space.

Unfortunately, the Scottish fans at Hampden Park were then completely silenced when Modric scored a beautiful goal with the back of his right foot to slot the ball into the far post and restore Croatia's lead in the 62nd minute.

Scotland tried to hit back but Robertson's corner failed to be met by McGinn and Ryan Fraser's long-range strike bounced off course.

Instead, Croatia added to their lead in the 77th minute when Modric fired a precise corner into the near post where Perisic headed home with a fine header to add to a 3-1 lead over Scotland.

Scotland's efforts to rise to no avail, and Robertson and team failed to improve the performance of his country which has always stopped at the group stage in three appearances in the main round of the Euro.

Meanwhile, Croatia, who qualified as runners-up in Group D, will meet the runners-up in Group E, whose match will only be completed on Wednesday night.