It was another significant achievement for a generation determined to establish itself on the European stage, and the manner in which Croatia secured qualification provided plenty of reasons for optimism.
Jagušić Takes Centre Stage
The afternoon in Varaždin belonged to Adriano Jagušić. Croatia controlled much of the first half and took the lead in the 25th minute following excellent work from Marin Šotiček on the right. Šotiček beat his defender and delivered into the penalty area, where Jagušić controlled the ball with his chest before producing an acrobatic finish to put Croatia ahead.
It was a spectacular goal, but also a deserved reward for Croatia’s strong opening period. Olić’s side dictated the tempo and repeatedly caused Hungary problems, with Šotiček and Jagušić particularly dangerous in their combinations on the right flank. Hungary offered only an occasional threat before the break, and Croatia went into half-time with a deserved advantage.
The visitors responded shortly after the restart. A challenge involving Dominik Prpić resulted in a penalty, and Balázs Tuboly converted from the spot in the 49th minute to make it 1–1. For a brief period, a match Croatia had appeared to control became considerably more complicated.
Jagušić, however, ensured the uncertainty did not last long.
Croatia Respond Like Group Winners
Croatia regained the lead in the 60th minute following a rapid attacking move. Lovro Zvonarek drove forward and released Šotiček, whose effort was saved by the Hungarian goalkeeper. The rebound fell perfectly for Jagušić, who struck a volley off the post and into the net to make it 2–1.
That goal restored Croatia’s confidence and control, and the hat-trick was completed five minutes from time. Šotiček was again involved, carrying the ball forward before finding Jagušić with a cut-back. The midfielder struck first time and sent a powerful finish into the top corner, completing an outstanding individual performance and sealing a 3–1 victory.
Three goals, three different finishes and one decisive performance made Jagušić the central figure of an afternoon that would ultimately end with Croatia celebrating much more than another qualifying victory.
Qualification Confirmed on the Team Bus
Even after the final whistle in Varaždin, Croatia could not celebrate qualification immediately. Türkiye remained the only side capable of keeping the race alive, and at half-time against Ukraine they were leading 2–0.
By then, Croatia’s players and coaching staff had already left Varaždin and were travelling back towards Zagreb. They followed the second half of Ukraine’s match together on the team bus, knowing that a Turkish victory would delay confirmation of their qualification.
Then the situation began to change. Ukraine pulled one goal back before finding an equaliser to make it 2–2. The score remained unchanged until the final whistle, triggering celebrations among the Croatian players as they travelled home.
Olić later explained that the entire squad had been watching the match and, once Ukraine began their comeback, effectively cheering them on. The final result meant Croatia had mathematically secured their European Championship place two rounds before the end of the qualifying campaign.
Olić Wants More Than Participation
Qualification was an important milestone, but Olić immediately made it clear that reaching Euro 2027 was not the final objective. He praised his players, coaching staff and everyone involved in the campaign before turning his attention toward the tournament itself.
His message was ambitious: Croatia do not want to travel to Albania and Serbia simply to participate. Olić believes this generation has the quality to make an impact once it gets there, and the qualifying campaign has provided evidence to support that confidence.
The Croatian U21 side has developed a strong mixture of technical quality, tactical maturity and attacking potential. Players such as Jagušić, Šotiček, Zvonarek and Dominik Prpić have taken on increasingly important roles, while the team as a whole has shown an ability to respond when matches become difficult.
The win over Hungary was another example. Conceding an equaliser shortly after half-time could easily have changed the momentum, but Croatia responded quickly, regained control and finished the match with authority.
A Qualification Built on Consistency
Although the victory over Hungary provided the decisive push, Croatia’s place at the European Championship was built over an entire qualifying campaign. Olić’s side consistently collected points in a demanding group containing Türkiye, Ukraine, Hungary and Lithuania, putting themselves in a position where qualification could be secured well before the final round.
That early success carries significant value. Instead of entering the final fixtures under pressure or facing the uncertainty of a play-off, Croatia earned the opportunity to begin planning for the European Championship months in advance.
It also represents another positive sign for Croatian youth football. The Under-21 national team serves an important role not only as a competitive side in its own right but also as a final development stage before the senior national team. Strong performances at this level provide valuable experience for players who may soon be expected to compete for places with the Vatreni.
The Next Challenge Is Bigger
Euro 2027 in Albania and Serbia will present an entirely different challenge. Croatia will face some of the strongest young national teams in Europe, with far less room for error than in qualification. The pace will be higher, individual quality greater and every mistake more likely to be punished.
That is why Olić’s insistence that Croatia should aim for more than participation is significant. Qualifying early gives the coaching staff valuable time to evaluate players, develop tactical options and prepare for opponents of a higher level.
For Jagušić and the rest of this generation, the tournament will also offer an opportunity to establish themselves on one of European youth football’s biggest stages. Several players have already shown they possess the potential to make the next step, and performances at the European Championship could accelerate that process.
Croatia’s qualification was ultimately confirmed by a result hundreds of kilometres away, watched by the players on a team bus. But their ticket to Euro 2027 was earned on the pitch throughout the campaign — and on the decisive afternoon in Varaždin, nobody represented that journey better than hat-trick hero Adriano Jagušić.
Croatia are going to Euro 2027. Now the challenge is to prove that qualification was only the beginning.
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