Venue: Opus Arena, Osijek
League: UEFA Nations League 2024-2025, League A, Group A1
Final Score: Croatia 1-0 Poland
The UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 continued with an exciting encounter between Croatia and Poland at the Opus Arena, Osijek. Both teams entered the game with a lot at stake, vying for crucial points in League A, Group A1. Croatia, with their star-studded lineup, were hoping to secure a vital home win, while Poland sought to disrupt their plans with a solid defensive performance. The game promised to be a tactical battle, especially with Croatian maestro Luka Modrić orchestrating play and Poland relying on their grit and counter-attacking prowess.
Croatia vs Poland Head-to-Head
Historically, Croatia and Poland have had tightly contested encounters. Croatia, known for their midfield creativity and solid defense, were slight favorites, but Poland had the firepower to pull off an upset, with players like Piotr Zieliński leading the charge. The UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 clash between Croatia and Poland was another opportunity for both teams to showcase their strength on the international stage.
Croatia vs Poland Lineups and Substitutes
Here are the actual lineups of Croatia vs Poland today (Sep 9, 2024)
Croatia Starting XI:
- Livaković (GK)
- Stanišić
- Šutalo
- Gvardiol
- Sosa (Substituted by Perišić, 90’+2)
- Modrić
- Pašalić (Substituted by Kovačić, 79′)
- Brozović
- Pjaca
- Petković (Substituted by Kramarić, 68′)
- Matanović (Substituted by Budimir, 68′)
Substitutes: Kramarić, Perišić, L. Sučić, Budimir
Poland Starting XI:
- Szczęsny (GK)
- Bednarek
- Kamiński (Substituted by Frankowski, 82′)
- Urbański (Substituted by Moder, 62′)
- Zieliński (Substituted by Slisz, 62′)
- Szymański (Substituted by Piotrowski, 86′)
- Bogusz (Substituted by Świderski, 62′)
- Probierz
- Świderski
- Lewandowski
- Linetty
Substitutes: Frankowski, Moder, Świderski, Piotrowski, Slisz
Croatia vs Poland First Half
The first half saw Croatia dominating possession with 59% compared to Poland’s 41%. Despite the dominance, Croatia struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut chances. In the 2nd minute, Croatia’s Kovačić set the tone with an early attempt, but it was wide of the target. Poland remained organized defensively, with Bednarek holding the backline firmly.
The game’s intensity increased as Croatia pushed for a breakthrough, but a series of near misses and solid defensive work from Poland kept the scoreline level. Poland’s best chance came when Bogusz fired a shot that rattled the crossbar, but it didn’t go in.
The first half ended 0-0, with both teams heading into the break frustrated by their inability to break the deadlock.
Croatia vs Poland Second Half
Croatia came out stronger in the second half, and it didn’t take long for them to find a breakthrough. In the 52nd minute, Luka Modrić, the Croatian talisman, found space outside the penalty area and fired a stunning long-range shot into the bottom corner, putting Croatia 1-0 up. The goal came at a crucial moment, shifting the momentum entirely in favor of the hosts.
Poland responded by making a flurry of substitutions, with Moder, Świderski, and Slisz coming on in the 62nd minute. Despite fresh legs, Poland struggled to create meaningful opportunities, with the Croatian defense, led by Gvardiol, proving impenetrable.
Croatia continued to press for a second goal, with Budimir and Kramarić adding more attacking options after coming on in the 68th minute. However, Poland held firm, and although they saw more of the ball in the final stages, they couldn’t find the equalizer.
Croatia vs Poland Second Half Key Moments
- 52′ – Luka Modrić scores with a long-range shot to give Croatia the lead.
- 62′ – Poland substitutes Urbański, Zieliński, and Bogusz in an effort to shake things up.
- 90’+4′ – Poland’s Probierz receives a yellow card for a rash challenge.
Croatia vs Poland Full-Time Score: Croatia 1-0 Poland
Croatia vs Poland Stats
| Croatia vs Poland Stats | Croatia | Poland |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 59 | 41 |
| Total Attempts | 23 | 11 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 2 |
| Corners Taken | 8 | 2 |
| Passes Completed | 559 | 351 |
| Yellow Cards | 6 | 2 |
| Fouls Committed | 9 | 11 |
Croatia vs Poland Timeline
- 2′ – Early attempt by Kovačić goes wide.
- 14′ – Pjaca’s shot blocked.
- 40′ – P. Sučić shown a yellow card.
- 44′ – Bednarek booked for Poland.
- 52′ – Modrić’s wonder strike breaks the deadlock, 1-0 Croatia.
- 62′ – Poland make three substitutions to bring on Świderski, Slisz, and Moder.
- 68′ – Croatia respond with two substitutions, Budimir and Kramarić.
- 90’+4′ – Probierz booked for Poland.
Croatia vs Poland Man of the Match
Luka Modrić: The Croatian captain was instrumental in controlling the game’s tempo. His sublime goal from outside the box proved to be the match-winner, capping off a stellar performance that showcased his world-class talent.
Croatia vs Poland Stats Impact on the Points Table
With this narrow 1-0 victory, Croatia secured three vital points in the UEFA Nations League 2024-2025, strengthening their position in League A, Group A1. The win allowed them to keep pace with other group leaders, while Poland’s loss leaves them needing a strong response in the next game to stay competitive.
The UEFA Nations League 2024-2025 clash between Croatia and Poland was a tightly contested affair, with Croatia’s experience and midfield control proving the difference. Luka Modrić’s second-half strike sealed the win for Croatia, keeping them on course for progression in the group. Poland, despite a spirited defensive display, were unable to capitalize on their chances and will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. Croatia’s resilience and tactical discipline made all the difference in a crucial victory at Opus Arena.
