League of Nations: Croatia offers the Netherlands in extra time and climbs to the final

Victory and qualification for Croatia. Luka Modric and his teammates dominated the Netherlands (4-2) this Wednesday, in Rotterdam, in the semi-finals of the League of Nations. Winners of group 1, that of France, they climb to the final. Andrej Kramaric and Mario Pasalic responded to Donyell Malen's opener. Noa Lang, however, equalized for the hosts at the very end of regulation time, sending the two teams into extra time. Bruno Petkovic and Luke Modric made the difference afterwards.

On Sunday, Croatia, fourth in the last World Cup, will face Spain or Italy to win the title. Remember that the winner will succeed France, crowned in 2021.

The first 20 minutes of the game were slow for both sides. We have witnessed many technical approximations on both sides. It was the locals who got into the right rhythm first. They managed to install a very effective pressing, in which Wieffer and Frenkie De Jong were hyperactive and harvested the balls in the opposing part of the field (13th).

The Croats failed to recover properly and let the Netherlands recover the ball higher and higher. Then came a bang. A typical Dutch combination allowed the locals to open the scoring. Defender Nathan Aké slipped a sharp pass to Wieffer at the entrance to the area. Facing goal, he preferred to pass the ball to his right, to Donnyell Malen. The winger topped his ball, but his cross shot hit the mark (34th). The Netherlands pushed late in the first half, with Xavi Simons and Malen hurting badly with their sharp runs. But in the end, the Oranje were unable to double the lead before the end of the half.

In the second half, the balance of power was reversed. The experience of the Croatian group took over and very quickly dominated a formation from the Netherlands who no longer knew on which foot to dance. This sudden awakening was the consequence of the Modric metronome. He who made the rain in the first half and the good weather in the second. Modric regained his magic foot outside and wreaked havoc. Just like the executives (Perisic, Kramaric), used to big meetings. Kramaric completed the Croatians' good start to the second period by converting his penalty with an uninhibited shot. Originally, Modric collapsed in the box, held back unnecessarily by Cody Gakpo. Then everything accelerated for the visitors. Because by establishing their domination over the midfield, the spaces have opened up. It is on a reversal of Modric that came the goal of Pasalic (72nd). The striker is served on a laser pass from Ivanusec.

Croatia on their way to the final? Not so fast. At the end of additional time, Noa Lang, who entered a few minutes earlier, scored a very nice goal after a huge mess in the penalty area (2-2). Everything to do again. Both teams in overtime!

The rhythm fell apart in these 30 bonus minutes. Especially since Koeman's very attacking changes (Wijnaldum, Lang, Bergwijn, Weghost) unbalanced the team. It paid for cash. Turning to face the goal, Petkovic eliminated two players with a fake body. He hit the mark 25 yards from goal (3-2). This same Petkovic caused a penalty, converted by captain Modric (4-2). Croatia even scored a fifth goal... canceled due to handball (4-2 final score).