Croatia advanced to the UEFA Nations League final after thrashing the Netherlands 4-2 in extra-time on Wednesday night.
UEFA Nations League Semi-Final
Result: Netherlands 2-4 Croatia
Date: 14 June 2023
Venue: Stadion Feijenoord
Cody Gakpo started up front for the Dutch, while Lutsharel Geertruida and Mats Wieffe were handed their second caps by coach Ronald Koeman while Croatia were without star defender Josko Gvardiola.
The game was played at a lively pace in the early stages of the encounter but clear-cut chances were hard to come by at both ends of the pitch.
The first chance arrived for the Croatians on 31 minutes when Ivan Perisic did well to pick out Andrej Kramajic, who sent his looping effort over Justin Bijlow's crossbar.
Three minutes later, the Netherlands broke the deadlock as Wieffe turned provider to pick out Donyell Malen, who took a touch before drilling the ball into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic with no chance.
After a disappointing first half, Croatia were awarded a penalty nine minutes after the break when Gakpo brought down Luka Modric with a clumsy challenge, which allowed Kramaric to step up and convert the equaliser.
Koeman responded with a change soon after the equaliser, as he introduced striker Wout Weghorst in place of Xavi Simons for the final 25 minutes of the second half.
Croatia completed the turnaround in the 72nd minute when Mario Pasalic got ahead of Virgil van Dijk and turned home Luka Ivanušec's cross with a neat finish into the bottom corner.
Netherlands did have a golden chance to pull level in second-half stoppage time after ball fell kindly to Gakpo in the box, but the Liverpool forward dragged his first-time effort wide.
However, the hosts did grab the equaliser in the final minute when a goal-mouth scramble ended with Noa Lang firing home with a well-taken volley to send the game to extra-time.
The Croatians regained the lead eight minutes into extra-time through Bruno Petkovic, who took the ball on the turn before finding the bottom corner with a strike from 20 yards out.
Croatia were handed the chance to put the game to bed on 115 minutes after being awarded a penalty for Tyrell Malacia's foul on Petkovic. Luka Modric stepped up and calmly slotted home to seal their place in the final.
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