In anticipation of Croatia’s 5th World Cup, we are counting down the top 5 goals Croatia has ever scored at the tournament.
#1 The Goal That Put Croatia On The Map
In Croatia’s first World Cup, the Vatreni got through group stage with wins over Jamaica and Japan; and needed a penalty shot in the Round of 16 to thwart Romania. Sure it was Croatia’s first tournament, but that competition is nothing to ride home about. But the real test came in the quarterfinals where Croatia met mighty Germany, who were then three-time World Cup champions.
It was a deadlock after 40 minutes but then everything quickly changed. Christian Wörns fouled Davor Šuker and was sent off; forcing Germany to play the rest of the match with only 10 players. Then in first half injury time, Robert Jarni would fire up the shot of his life with his left foot from 24 yards out to beat Andreas Köpke just inside the right post.
Croatia would ride the momentum through halftime and add two more late goals to beat Germany 3-0, but Robert Jarni’s blister of a shot let the world know that…Croatia had arrived!
Don’t think it will help Nigeria much if they know our lineup in advance.
Gives Dalic the opportunity to announce a fake lineup before the Argentina match and then change it before game time.
I like Nigeria worried about our line up and pretending they can be tactically disciplined against us.
Kovačić
Brozovic
Pjaca
Badelj
Kalinic
Gives you flexibility depending on how the game is going.
Dalić has been spot on with the early substitutions.
Nigeria has to deal with ALL 14 of our class players.
Our depth is formidable and will balance out any older tired legs.
Great to have Nigeria first.
ZDS
@Maminjo
Yep, never show the cards.
Dalic shouldn’t have published his starting eleven before the match.
Everyone would have thought that we were playing Modric high, with a stacked midfield, and no Strinic at LB.
Now it’s easier for Nigeria to plan. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them practicing their attack on that left side.
When you look at our starting lineup, the only two players likely to subbed out are Rebic and Mandzukic.
Adding the speed of Kovacic and Pjaca into a match where the opposing players have already played an hour could be a big advantage.
Have a good feeling about this whole set up. We have players who might be slightly past their prime, still in good shape, and most importantly have been here before and can correct the mistakes made in 2014 and 2012.
Russia 5 – 0 Saudi Arabia
Not as bad as their 8-0 drubbing some WCs ago to Germany but getting there.
Looked at the betting odds last night.. We’re hot favourites to beat nigeria and the same odds vs Iceland, whereas Argentina are heavily favoured to beat us
@JP
good call. I forgot that Turkey is considered Europe when it comes to soccer. I will never understand that rationale.
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DucG1msQaldE&ved=0ahUKEwj3wcid8dPbAhUBM30KHRgSDZkQyCkIJzAA&usg=AOvVaw3_9UfC2LEJ41IMhJQyzEF4
It’s not too early for this is it?!
Robert Jarni has not been replaced in 20 years!
That goal put us on the World Cup Map.
Lol … we have been “riding” that goal for TOO long.
It is time to make some NOW history.
Nigeria feel that can beat us.
The pitch this Saturday will be on FIRE.
We need to match their intensity and establish our own attacking rhythm.
ZDS
T – 48 hours …
U boj … U boj … za narod svoj !!!
@Incognito
Great goal, but not in the World Cup. Euro’s have been so much more successful, but also heart-breaking at the same time, for the reprezentacija. Hopefully things change come Saturday.
I’m surprised no one mentioned Modric’s volley against Turkey.
Quality football today in Russia, just kidding, it was nothing to ride home about.
But damn did we look good against them! Boban’s best game of the tourney if u ask me.
^ ^
Yup! Topped their group and beat a good English side. That team was really good.
@ Ante K
I’m gonna have to respectfully disagree, while Jamaica and Japan might be nuthin’ to write home about! Beating Romania IS something to write home about!!
They were led by none other than Gheorghe Hagi–one of the finest playmakers to ever come outta the Balkans. This was Romania’s “Golden Generation,” the same team that just narrowly missed out on making the Semi-finals in WC 94, and would later go on to make the Quarterfinals in Euro 2000. So these weren’t just a buncha vampires and zombies ya know!
“the truth”…..”It speaks to Croatias lack of world cup success that 4 of these goals are from 20yr ago and the other one from 16 years ago”
You understand the WC is played only every 4 years? That’s 5 tournaments, of which Croatia played in 4. Do you understand simple math?
“Sure it was Croatia’s first tournament, but that competition is nothing to ride home about.”
Not only did you get the expression wrong, you got the meaning of it backwards.
The expression is: ‘nothing to WRITE home about’ and obviously it means the experience and/or the place is nothing special, bland, average – nothing to write home about.
Figures a couple of wiggers don’t get it.
That jersey is the best ever we have!@*
@ Toronto,
I seen both forms used. So I don’t know.
@ Poglavnik,
Obviously, we went with historical importance and not technical for the list. Hopefully, some get added to the list this year.
Olic against Cameroon is a beautiful goal.
Ah Toronto, showing your age? “nothing to ride home about” became meme in the black community after the song Ridin (dirty) by Chamillionaire. Ante just using his street slang.
Lol come on Ante .. the expression is…”nothing to write home about”
It speaks to Croatias lack of world cup success that 4 of these goals are from 20yr ago and the other one from 16 years ago
Then again, not much to choose from since
Maybe you could add to the list when Brazil scored a goal for us in the last tournament
Probably one of the most talented goals would’ve been perisic goal against Cameroon.
Can’t complain with the list too much but like i said i prolly would’ve had Srna’s free kick vs Aus in there somewhere over one of the lesser ones