Croatia defeated South American opponent Colombia 2-1 in an international friendly at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando on early Friday morning.
The first half was full of action as three goals were scored. 28-year-old Palmeiras’ forward Jhon Arias opened the scoring with just two minutes played in the game. Luis Suarez flicked Johan Mojica’s delivery into Arias’ path, who finished superbly past Dominik Livakovic.
Croatia bounced back three minutes later with Luka Vuskovi’s shot from range nestling the net via the post to restore parity.
Igor Matanovic took advantage of Colombia’s goalkeeper’s sloppiness from a corner kick and nodded home at the back post to give Croatia a 2-1 lead. The game had been a ding-dong affair until Croatia’s second goal in the 42nd minute.
In the second half, Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalic made two changes on the 46th minute with Stanisic and Musa replacing Perisic and goal scorer Matanovic.
Susic and Baturina were replaced by Vlasic and Susic, respectively, in the 61st minute for tactical reasons. With 10 minutes to end the game, Croatia made three changes with the veteran Luka Modric coming on for Pasalic.
It was Croatia’s eighth win in their last nine games, drawing the other one.
Croatia missed the experience of Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol due to injuries. They will face Brazil on 1st April in Orlando.
Croatia is in Group L with Ghana, England and Panama in the 2026 World Cup.
Croatia’s lineup against Colombia
3-4-2-1
Livakovi (GK)
Erlic, Pongracic, Vuskovic (DF)
Perisc, Susic, Moro, Pasalic (MF)
Vlasic, Matanovic, Pasalic (FW)
