POLAND – CROATIA 3:3 (Zielinski 5′, Zalewski 45′ Szymanski 68’/Sosa 19′, P. Sučić 24′, Baturina 26′)
Poland: Bulka – Kiwior, Bednarek, Dawidowicz (Piątkowski 38′) – Kaminski (Ameyaw 63′), Szymanski, Moder (Oyedele 63′), Zielinski (Kapustka 74′), Zalewski – Urbanski, Swiderski (Lewandowski 62′)
Croatia: Livaković – Šutalo, Erlić (Labrović 81′), Gvardiol – Perišić, Modrić, P. Sučić, Sosa – Baturina (L. Sučić 80′), Kramarić od (Pašalić 69′) – Matanović (Budimir 60′)
Despite playing with one less player after Dominik Livaković was sent off, Croatia managed to win a point in Warsaw and thereby came significantly closer to qualifying for the Nations League quarterfinals. The main goal of this national team gathering in October was to ensure the best possible result in the matches against Scotland and Poland, and the coach, Zlatko Dalić, can be satisfied with that.
The match was a real football drama, full of twists and turns, brilliant actions, mistakes, lots of goals and chances, and excellent goalkeeper defenses. However, it remains regrettable that Croatia did not keep the two-goal advantage. Despite this, Dalić can be satisfied because in this match, two talented young players from Dinamo, Petar Sučić and Martin Baturina, stood out and showed they can play an essential role at the highest level.
The beginning of the game was extremely difficult for Vatrene—while the team was still warming up, they were already behind. The defense on the right side gave way, which Piotr Zielinski used to shock Croatia with an early goal. Nobody on our team expected such a development. In the opening minutes, Croatia looked disorganized, while the Poles seemed much more specific and dangerous. Their every attack created the impression that they could be a threat to Livaković.
Our players could not react quickly to the early goal, and Poland took complete control of the game, dictating the rhythm. After that goal froze Croatia, Kiwior once again threatened to strike. The Poles continued to press with high pressing. They dominated the duels. Until the moment when Borna Sosa shone! His incredible goal, a true masterpiece, arrived at a crucial moment. When you have high-quality players in your squad, there is always the possibility that they can make a difference and create something out of nothing, which is what happened in Warsaw. Sosa’s “golden left” performed a true masterpiece and brought a much-needed turnaround to Croatia.
That’s when Dinamo’s gems – Petar Sučić and Martin Baturina – entered the scene as if we were watching Dinamo’s match against Monaco again! These two young masters from the Zagreb club excelled on the field, passing each other as quickly as they played futsal. They completely threw the Poles out of rhythm. First, Baturina assisted Sučić with the goal, then Sučić returned the favor by helping Baturina. Both of them, with great potential and proven quality in Croatian football, scored their first goals for the national team, showing that they are the national team’s future.
Mastery after mastery – Dinamo’s young duo completely dismantled the Poles with incredible combinations. The hosts fell apart in just seven minutes! Croats scored three goals in a short time, which quickly threw the bad start into oblivion. There was also a chance for a fourth goal when the ball bounced off Luka Modrić’s cross to Martin Erlić, but his powerful shot from twelve meters went over the bar.
Then, the Poles finally began to catch their breath. Kaminski entered the Croatian penalty area from the side and made a dangerous threat, but Livaković saved with his foot. But that’s where the Polish “come-back” started. The Flames brought the Poles back into the game themselves to some extent. The completely groggy hosts first reduced the deficit through Zalewski, and immediately after that, Livaković saved a great chance from Kaminski, who was left alone at some eleven or twelve meters. The first half was crazy.
The second half began just as spectacularly. The Poles had a chance to equalize again – Zalewski passed through the Croatian penalty area and shot, but Livaković again reacted brilliantly. Conversely, Polish goalkeeper Bulka made an excellent save from Modrić’s shot under the crossbar. Kramarić had a chance not long after, but the Polish full-back interfered with him before he shot. Perišić also fired from a difficult position, but Bulka again showed his top form.
Neither Matanović, before leaving, nor Budimir, after coming on, could overcome Bulka, who was outstanding in goal. If he weren’t in top form, Croatia would probably quickly score a few more goals and “fill up” the host. But, as it usually happens, when you don’t take advantage of your opportunities, the opponent punishes – the Poles scored, and the Croatian defense gave way again. After the tie, the home team went even more aggressively toward Livaković, and the game turned around. The Poles could have taken the lead after a corner kick when Bednarek jumped above everyone and shot a header, but the ball went right past the goalpost.
A controversial situation then followed. After a badly returned ball by Perišić, Lewandowski, and Livaković started the duel. The Croatian goalkeeper was the first to get to the ball and shoot it far, but it caught the Polish star in the follow-up. Because of that contact, he got a red card! Croatia was left with one player less, and Labrović replaced Livaković. Although there were still exciting moments, the score did not change, and the match ended in a draw.
