Croatia 4-0 Montenegro: Croatia remains perfect in World Cup qualifying

Croatia equal the 30-year-old record set by the Croatia national team coach Ćiro Blažević, when Croatia started the European Championship qualifiers with four consecutive wins.

Match Report

Croatia looked sharp from the opening whistle, dictating possession and pressing high. Andrej Kramarić threatened early with a strike from the edge of the box in the second minute, but a defender’s block spared Danijel Petković in goal. Luka Modrić, pulling the strings in midfield, repeatedly tried to unlock the Montenegrin defense, with Ivan Perišić and Franjo Ivanović both missing promising chances.

Montenegro’s evening got more complicated when Igor Vujačić was forced off with an injury in the 7th minute. Croatia kept the pressure on, with Petar Sučić and Kristijan Jakić both firing just over the bar, while Perišić wasted a good rebound opportunity. At the other end, Nikola Krstović tested the Croatian defense but found Livaković alert.

The breakthrough finally came in the 35th minute. Modrić teed up Jakić, who took on two defenders and struck cleanly from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner to put Croatia ahead 1–0. Moments earlier, Modrić had missed narrowly himself, but this time his vision paid off.

Croatia continued to press, with Perišić forcing a corner in the 42nd minute and Jakić delivering another dangerous cross soon after. There was a hint of controversy in the 41st minute when Montenegro appeared to handle inside the penalty area, but referee Felix Zwayer waved to play on. Things got worse for the visitors just before half-time, as Andrija Bulatović picked up a second yellow card in the 43rd minute, leaving Montenegro down to ten men.

At the break, Croatia led 1–0, firmly in control of the match and a man up, with chances to extend their advantage surely to come in the second half.

Croatia went into half-time a goal and a man up, and they wasted no time capitalizing on their advantage. Robert Prosinečki tried to spark Montenegro’s response with two substitutions, but Croatia continued to dictate the tempo.

Early in the second half, Franjo Ivanović tested the Montenegrin back line, with his shot deflected for a corner in the 51st minute. Croatia then doubled their lead: Josip Stanišić delivered a perfectly placed ball across goal, and Andrej Kramarić needed only a touch to guide it into an empty net for 2–0.

Luka Modrić nearly added a third just minutes later, unleashing a strike from the edge of the box. Croatia continued to push forward, while Duje Ćaleta-Car was cautioned by referee Felix Zwayer after a clumsy foul, already on a yellow from earlier.

In the 61st minute, Dalić decided to refresh the team. Fruk came on for Pašalić and Budimir for Ivanović. In the 64th minute, Fruk tried his luck with a tame shot. Minutes later, Luka Modrić nearly added a third with a powerful shot just over the bar. Ivan Perišić then had a go from distance, but dragged his shot wide.

By the 70th minute, Martin Baturina replaced Kramarić, while Majer came on for Sučić. As the match reached the final stretch, Modrić was finally given a rest in the 82nd minute, with Nikola Moro stepping in to close out the midfield.

Just three minutes later, a Montenegro own goal made it 3-0 — and in stoppage time, Perišić made it 4-0. Croatia thus cruised towards another convincing win on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Croatia continues its World Cup qualifying campaign in October against the Czech Republic in Prague and Gibraltar at home.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

22' Highlight from Croatia vs Montenegro

27' Match Event for Croatia vs Montenegro

35' GOAL! Croatia 1-0 Montenegro (Kristijan Jakic)

44' Red Card! Andrija Bulatovic sent off

51' GOAL! Croatia 2-0 Montenegro (Andrej Kramaric)

85' OWN GOAL! Croatia 3-0 Montenegro (Edvin Kuc)

Line-ups

Croatia XI: Modric, Perisic, Kramaric, D. Livaković, Pasalic, Caleta-Car, Kristijan Jakic, Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Petar Sučić, Franjo Ivanović

Subs: Budimir, Ivica Ivusic, Borna Sosa, Nikola Moro, Martin Erlić, Marin Pongracic, Kotarski, Lovro Majer, Ivan Smolcic, Marco Pašalić, Toni Fruk, Martin Baturina

Montenegro XI: Jovetic, Savic, Danijel Petkovic, Vujacic, Driton Camaj, Nikola Sipcic, Krstovic, Milos Brnovic, Milan Vukotic, Milan Roganovic, Andrija Bulatovic

Subs: Milos Dragojevic, Stefan Mugosa, Marko Vukcevic, Marko Bakic, Edvin Kuc, Andrija Vukcevic, Stefan Loncar, Slobodan Rubezic, Balsa Popovic, Dusan Vukovic, Robert Gjelaj, Adzic