Croatia Crush Montenegro 4-0 in FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Croatia extends its perfect record in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a convincing 4-0 win over 10-man Montenegro in Zagreb.
Montenegro's fortunes worsened shortly after the opening goal when Andrija Bulatovic was given a second yellow card for a foul on...
Croatia cruised to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Montenegro in Zagreb, maintaining their perfect record in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This win extends their unbeaten streak in home World Cup qualifying matches, dating back to September 2016, with 11 wins and 3 draws.
The match saw Croatia dominate, with Kristijan Jakić scoring the opening goal in the 35th minute and Andrej Kramarić doubling the lead just after halftime. Edvin Kuč scored an own goal in the 85th minute, and Ivan Perišić sealed the win with a goal in the 90th+2 minute.
Croatia's win keeps them top of their group, while Montenegro sits third. Despite struggling in their previous match against the Faroe Islands, Croatia were expected to overcome Montenegro, who had lost three of their last four away games with margins of two goals or more.
The match started differently than expected, with Montenegro holding firm despite Igor Vujacic's early injury. Croatia's closest chance came when Franjo Ivanovic's header was spectacularly saved by Danijel Petkovic before the half-hour mark.
However, Croatia's breakthrough arrived soon after, courtesy of Luka Modric's clever play in the 35th minute. Modric's aerial pass to the right flank was expertly controlled by Kristijan Jakic, who showcased impressive footwork to evade two defenders. Jakic then curled a beautiful shot past Petkovic into the far corner, scoring his first international goal and giving Croatia the lead. Modric's influence on the game was evident, even at 35 years old.
Montenegro's fortunes worsened shortly after the opening goal when Andrija Bulatovic was given a second yellow card for a foul on Luka Modric, leaving them to defend with 10 men for the second half. The task seemed insurmountable, and it became even more daunting just six minutes into the half.
A deadly combination between Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich) and Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim) sealed Montenegro's fate. Stanisic's precise pass set up Kramaric, who calmly tapped the ball into the net, doubling Croatia's lead and extending his perfect scoring record in the World Cup qualifiers to six goals in four matches.
The goal seemed to deflate Montenegro's spirits, but Croatia continued to press and probe their opponents relentlessly. Luka Modric came close to doubling Croatia's lead when his shot from the edge of the box flashed wide of the left post. Despite Montenegro goalkeeper Danijel Petkovic's best efforts, including a crucial save on Ante Budimir's rebound attempt, Croatia's pressure eventually paid off.
The second goal arrived when Edvin Kuč inadvertently turned Lovro Majer's shot into an own goal, further cementing Croatia's dominance. This goal showcased Croatia's persistence and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Croatia sealed their victory with a stylish finish, as Ivan Perišić latched onto Lovro Majer's brilliant pass and fired a first-time shot into the bottom-right corner with virtually the final kick of the game. This emphatic win puts Croatia in a commanding position in Group L.
With a game in hand over second-placed Czech Republic, Croatia's path to the World Cup seems all but paved. This would mark their seventh World Cup appearance as an independent nation in eight attempts. Meanwhile, Montenegro's frustration continues, now six points behind the Czech Republic, and their World Cup hopes appear increasingly slim. Montenegro's struggles since splitting from Serbia in 2006 persist.
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