June 3, 2022 - The Croatia U21s nearly had the Euros spot in their hands, up 2:1 against Norway in the 80th minute. With two goals conceded in stoppage time, Croatia no longer controls their destiny for a spot at the Euros next year.
The U21 Croatia national team played a key European Championship qualifier in Drammen, Norway on Friday. The match started at 6 pm.
A victory against Norway would have ensured Croatia's spot at the Euros with one round to go. Croatia plays their last match of the qualifiers against last-placed Estonia.
In the first match between these two teams played in Varaždin, Croatia won 3:2. Both teams recorded defeats in the last qualifying round. Croatia surprisingly lost to Finland, while Norway lost away against Austria.
Only the first-placed team in the group goes directly to the Euros, while the second-placed team goes to the playoffs.
Lineups
Norway: Klaesson, Hjelde, Heggheim, Daland, Sebulonsen, Ceide, Hove, Arnstad, Vetlesen, Botheim, Larsen
Croatia: Kotarski, Čolina, Soldo, Šutalo, Stanišić, Krizmanić, Vušković, Kačavenda, Sučić, Matanović, Šimić
Recap
Croatia took the early lead thank to Luka Sucic. Kacavenda started the counter and pushed Simic in the middle well, and while he lost the duel, the ball came back to Kacavenda who played Sucic for 0:1 Croatia! Two minutes later Norway hit the post.
Norway continued to press and finally equalized in the 37th minute. Botheim scored with his head for 1:1. Kotarski almost defended, but the shot was too strong.
The match was 1:1 at the half.
Croatia had some brilliant chances in the second half but did not retake the lead until the 80th minute. Sucic found Simic at the top of the box who scored for 1:2 Croatia! This was exactly the result needed to secure their spot at the European Championship.
The ref added 5 minutes of stoppage time. Croatia nearly had the win and Euros spot in their hands but conceded two goals in 5 minutes. In the first minute of stoppage time, Daland scored for 2:2. Larsen scored for 3:2 with a minute left and the Norway victory.
Croatia is still in first place with 8 games played and 19 points, while Norway is in 3rd place with 7 games played and 15 points.
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