Luka Modric leads Croatia to a dominant win over Czechia
Croatia came out winners against table toppers Czechia, putting five past them, just days after scoring seven against Gibraltar. Zlatko Dalic’s side now have two wins in two from their World Cup qualifiers and sit in second spot with a goal difference of +11.
Dalic lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Luka Modric and Petar Sucic starting in the double pivot. Josko Gvardiol started as the left-back and Ante Budimir led the line. The game also saw the debut for 18-year-old defender Luka Vuskovic, who wasn’t even born when Modric made his international debut.
Croatia looked like the better side from the beginning, finding the back of the net inside first 15 minutes before it being ruled out. They created six big chances, with 11 of their 18 total shots being on target. They recorded 36 touches inside the opposition box on top of this.
The 2018 World Cup runners-up opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Andrej Kramaric. Tomas Soucek equalized for Czechia in the second half from a corner situation but it only took Croatia four minutes to get the lead back.
Modric, who started the game and was involved in two goals for Croatia, stepped up to convert from the spot in the 62nd minute, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. The Real Madrid captain then assisted Croatia’s fifth goal in the 75th minute, with an inviting delivery off a set-piece.
The six-time Champions League winner looked at his best, completing 70 of his 77 attempted passes, taking four shots and making four recoveries in his 80 minutes on the pitch. It was an all round performance that has become synonymous with Modric over the years.
