“Vatreni” have a perfect score, Kramarić scored for victory in the Faroe Islands

The "Vatreni" won a tough match against a tricky opponent, in a game played on artificial turf, defeating the Faroe Islands 1-0 and continuing their winning streak in the World Cup qualifiers. After three appearances in this cycle, the team led by Zlatko Dalić has a perfect nine points, and the next challenge is scheduled for Monday in Zagreb when they will host Montenegro, led by former celebrated Croatian international and Dinamo captain, Robert Prosinečki. Montenegro hosted the Czech Republic on Friday and suffered a 2-0 defeat in Podgorica.

The winning goal of the "Vatreni" in Torshavn was scored by Andrej Kramarić in the 31st minute. Kristijan Jakić led the attack on the right side and almost from the goal line turned the ball in front of the goal, and Ante Budimir headed it to the "second post". There, Kramarić in the penalty area, also with his head, placed the ball into the net.

The hosts tried to threaten with quick counterattacks, putting the Croatian defense to the test as early as the 5th minute. Arni Frederiksberg rushed down the right side, crossed into the middle, Hanus Sørensen emerged completely alone in front of Dominik Livaković from six meters, but our goalkeeper prevented the goal with a brilliant reaction. He cleared the ball which was then kicked out by Mario Pašalić in front of the goal line.

Shortly afterwards, the home goalkeeper, Mattias Lamhauge, made two saves by "pulling out" the ball from under the crossbar after strong headers - first attempted by Fruk, then by Jakić.

A new counterattack from the home team appeared in the 19th minute, Meinhard Olsen crossed a low parallel from the right, Sørensen ran full speed and took a shot, and the ball flew past the bottom corner.

The "Fiery Ones" announced a goal in the 28th minute, Martin Baturina brought the ball down to Kramarić, who sent a pass to Petar Sučić, who fiercely struck the ball low from about twenty meters from the middle, slightly to the left, and hit the near post.

At the end of the first half, Budimir sent the ball just wide of the goal with his head, and after Baturin's counterattack, Kramarić on the right side took a strong shot, the goalkeeper saved, and Jakić launched the ball past the goal.

It was Jakić who initiated a half-counterattack in the second half, played to the right to Ivan Perišić, who crossed to the "far post", and Kramarić scored with a volley from five meters at an angle hitting the outside of the net.

In the referee's added time, Luka Modrić crossed from a corner, and debutant in the "Croatian" jersey, Ivan Smolčić, headed at the top of the six-yard box... However, the home goalkeeper once again pushed the ball under the crossbar with another brilliant reaction.

Torshavn, September 5, 2025.

World Cup Qualifiers, Group L

Faroe Islands - Croatia 0:1

Torsvøllur Stadium

Faroe Islands: Lamhauge - Danielsen, Faerø, G. Vatnhamar, A. Edmundsson, V. Davidsen (68th M. Agnarsson) - Frederiksberg (76th Bjartalid), Hendriksson (76th Turi), Andreasen, H. Sørensen (87th Justinussen) - M. Olsen (68th J. Edmundsson)

Coach: Eyðun Klakstein

Croatia: Livaković - Jakić (80th Smolčić), Pongračić, Ćaleta-Car, Sosa (51st Perišić) - Mario Pašalić (80th Marco Pašalić), P. Sučić; Baturina (65th Modrić), Kramarić, Fruk - Budimir (51st Ivanović)

Coach: Zlatko Dalić

Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)

Scorer: 0:1 Kramarić (31st)