Luka Modric scored a stunning goal in the match started by Croatia European Nations League Their journey was a 2-1 victory over the Czechs in the first match of the second period under coach Slaven Bilic.
The 41-year-old player gave Croatia the lead by scoring his 30th international goal two minutes after the start of the second half in Prague with a wonderful shot from just inside the penalty area after the Czechs had conceded the ball.
Adam Karabec quickly restored parity after criticizing Croatia’s failure to clear their lines properly.
But the visitors took the lead again 13 minutes before the end of normal time, with Mario Pasalic’s header too powerful for Lukas Hornicek after being set up by Ivan Perisic.
It seemed that the Czech Republic had found an equalizer again through Matej Radosta, but it was canceled after a video assistant referee check for offside, and Croatia took the three points.
In the next match, Croatia will meet Spain, which achieved an exciting victory over England 3-2 at Wembley Stadium.
In the second league, Switzerland took early control of Group A by beating North Macedonia 3-0 away from home.
After a goalless draw between Slovenia and Scotland in the other match in the group, Switzerland achieved an easy victory thanks to a brace by Zaki Amdouni.
Finland scores seven impressive goals
In League C, Finland achieved a landslide victory over San Marino, 7-0, in the first group match.
Joel Pohjanpalu was Finland’s star player, scoring a hat-trick as he opened the scoring in the fifth minute and then sealed the rout with two late goals.
Luxembourg surprisingly went top of Group D in League C after coming from behind to beat Bulgaria in Plovdiv.
Asen Chandarov took the lead for Bulgaria in the 17th minute, but goals from Leandro Bareiro and Vincent Thiel gave Luxembourg the win.
The team is two points ahead of the top of its group after Iceland and Estonia drew 1-1.
Other C League results
Faroe Islands 1-1 Kazakhstan
Albania 2-0 Belarus
Slovakia 2-0 Moldova
