Croatia convincingly defeats Montenegro, “Vatreni” at maximum performance

The Croatian national team, with a strong and open defense, defeated Montenegro 4-0 in their first ever encounter on the field of Maksimir Stadium, with full control of the game. The team led by Zlatko Dalić maintained a perfect record in the World Cup qualifying cycle, as they have now earned all 12 points from four matches, taking the top spot on the leaderboard and pushing their main competitor, the Czech Republic, to second place. The Czechs have the same number of points but with a lower goal difference, although they have played one more match. The next challenge for the "Fiery Ones" will be on October 9th, away against the Czech Republic. This will also mark the "round" 100th match under coach Dalić's leadership.

The team of Montenegro was led by former celebrated Croatian international and Dinamo captain Robert Prosinečki in the coaching role, who faced two difficulties in the first half: in the 7th minute, defender Igor Vujačić had to leave the game due to injury, and three minutes before the end of the first half, while the home team was leading 1-0, midfielder Andrija Bulatović received his second yellow card after a foul on Luka Modrić, so the Montenegrins had to continue the match with ten players on the field.

Croatian footballers have been trying to put the opposing defense to the test from the start, with threats coming twice from Franjo Ivanović and once from Petar Sučić... The leading goal appeared in the 35th minute, after a short connection between Sučić and Modrić, the ball was received on the right side by Kristijan Jakić, who skillfully dribbled past two defenders and then powerfully struck with his left foot from 18 meters, teleporting the ball into the opposite "small net". Croatia was just inches away from another goal in the 41st minute after a careless reaction from the opposing defense: experienced central defender Stefan Savić was returning the ball to goalkeeper Danijel Petković in front of his penalty area, who was caught off guard... The ball rolled towards the empty goal and hit the crossbar.

Already in the next attack of the "Blues", Modrić was advancing from the left towards the penalty area, stopped by Bulatović, who received his second yellow card in the process.

Croatia increased their lead at the start of the second half, Modrić crossed from a corner, Josip Stanić headed the ball into the six-yard box where Andrej Kramarić met it and redirected it into the goal with his foot while falling.

Twice Modrić tried, the first time the goalkeeper intervened, and in a new attempt the ball flew past the goalposts. Ivan Perišić and Andrej Kramarić launched the ball just beside the goal, goalkeeper Petković cleared it under the crossbar after a header by Ante Budimir... Modrić made a brilliant move, an impressive flick through the entire opposing defense, sending the ball into the heart of the penalty area, Perišić accepted it, but the visiting goalkeeper reacted brilliantly again.

Lovro Majer in the 85th minute dared to shoot from 17 meters, the ball hit Edvin Kuça, changing direction and in a high arc grazed the crossbar and slid into the goal for 3:0.

Shortly after that, Duje Ćaleta-Car headed the ball from the penalty area, but Petković caught the ball. However, the visiting goalkeeper couldn't do anything in the second minute of stoppage time, in the crowd in front of the penalty area, Majer managed to push the ball with his heel, which grazed the defender, reached Perišić, and he easily scored another goal for the "Blazers". Goalkeeper Petković prevented another goal in the next attack by the home team after a powerful shot from Budimir from ten meters.

Immediately after the end of the match, the Croatian Football Federation organized a small celebration for Luka Modrić's birthday at the stadium, with applause and congratulations from the fans and all present, of course. The captain of the "Blazers" turned 40 the next day, on September 9.

Zagreb, September 8, 2025.

World Cup Qualifiers, Group L

Croatia - Montenegro 4:0

Maksimir Stadium

Croatia: Livaković - Jakić, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Stanišić - Modrić (82nd Moro), P. Sučić (71st Majer); Mario Pašalić (62nd Fruk), Kramarić (71st Baturina), Perišić - Ivanović (62nd Budimir)

Coach: Zlatko Dalić

Montenegro: Petković - Vujačić (7th Rubežić), Savić, Šipčić - Roganović, Bulatović, Brnović (74th Kuč), Camaj (59th Vukčević); Vukotić (46th Batić), Jovetić (59th Lončar) - Krstović

Coach: Robert Prosinečki

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany), Attendance: 21,209

Red card: Bulatović (42nd - second yellow)

Scorers: 1:0 Jakić (35th minute), 2:0 Kramarić (51st minute), 3:0 Kuč (85th minute - own goal), 4:0 Perišić (90+2nd minute)