June 19, 2021 - A victory for Croatia against Scotland is now imperative for 2nd or 3rd place in Group D. 

The second round of EURO 2020 Group D finished on Friday and Croatia currently sits in third place. After two draws on Friday, Croatia and the Czech Republic 1:1 and England and Scotland 0:0, the Czech Republic is in first, followed by England in second, Croatia in third, and Scotland in fourth, reports Gol.hr.

Croatia must beat Scotland on Tuesday if they want to go further and can no longer pass as the group winner. Finishing first in the group is not the best option, anyhow, as first place in Group D crosses over with the 'group of death' - Portugal, France, Germany, and Hungary.

Croatia's position will also depend on the second game in the group. Namely, if the Czech Republic and England play a draw in the last round, Croatia can only continue from third place, no matter how large the victory against Scotland. However, they will need a better goal difference to be placed among the best third-placed national teams.

If England wins minimally, Croatia must beat Scotland by three goals for second place, and any major England win will mean that Croatia needs a goal less to skip the Czech Republic. 

If they have the same goal difference as the Czech Republic, second place will go to the team that has fewer yellow and red cards.

If Croatia doesn't go as second place, it seems that being among the best third-placed national teams in the competition is a probable option.

It should be noted that Scotland can also win third place with a victory, so it will be an all-or-nothing match.

Second place in Group D crosses over with the second-placed team from Group E (Spain, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia). If Croatia finishes third, they will play the winner of Group B (probably Belgium), the winner of Group E (Sweden or Spain), or the winner of Group C (Holland).

Theoretically, Croatia could go even further with a draw against Scotland, i.e. with only two points, but a lot has to coincide. Namely, Switzerland and Turkey have to draw in a direct clash for third place, Germany would have to lose to Portugal and still draw with Hungary in the end. 

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June 18, 2021 - Croatia and the Czech Republic played 1:1 at Hampden Park in Glasgow for their second-round Group D match of EURO 2020. 

After losing 1:0 to England at the start of the competition, Croatia chased a victory against the Czech Republic to hopefully bring them closer to the knockout phase. Any other result would significantly complicate their fate and a victory against Scotland in the last round would be imperative. 

Slobodan Kadic

Lineups

Croatia: Livaković; Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić; Brekalo, Kramarić, Perišić; Rebić

Czech Republic: Vaclik; Coufal, Čelustka, Kalas, Boril; Holeš, Darida, Souček; Masopust, Jankto, Schick

Slobodan Kadic

The match started promptly at 17:00 GMT. 

The Czech Republic came out hungry and already had a dangerous opportunity in the 2nd minute.  Their first corner came one minute later which was headed just over the goal by Soucek.

Croatia's first corner came in the 6th minute after Perisic's ball across the box went long. Kovacic and Modric went short which was defended by the Czech keeper. 

A foul on Rebic in the 8th minute gave Croatia a free-kick from 30 meters.  Lovren shot and hit over the crossbar. 

The Czech Republic was dangerous again in the 12th minute with a shank over the goal.  

An unusual Modric mistake in the midfield saw him head the ball straight to a Czech player which prompted a quick attack and nearly a goal. Croatia's defense remained solid for the goal kick. 

Rebic took advantage of a weak goalkeeper clearance which deflected off his back and almost into the goal in the 20th minute.  

A quick one-two between Gvardiol and Brekalo resulted in a corner in the 22nd minute. Modric went short to find Kramaric, who went back to Modric then Perisic at the top of the box. Perisic aimed right at the Czech keeper. 

Slobodan Kadic

An aggressive Croatia moved the ball to Vrsaljko on the right-wing in the 24th minute who crossed to the keeper. 

Croatia possessed well and moved the ball up the pitch in the minutes that followed. Gvardiol crossed into the box but it was another easy save for the Czech keeper. 

The Czech Republic had a corner in the 32nd minute. Croatia was robbed shortly after. Lovren and a Czech player went up for a header and a penalty was called for the Czech Republic after a VAR review. The Czech Republic scored for 0:1 in the 36th minute. 

Brekalo played the perfect through ball to Rebic just after the kick-off which he shot miserably wide. Kramaric shot in the 43rd which gave the keeper no trouble. The ref added the minutes to the first half. 

Slobodan Kadic

A Kovacic foul outside the box resulted in another dangerous free-kick for the Czech Republic which was hit over. The match ended 1:0 for the Czech Republic at the half. 

Zlatko Dalic made two changs to start the second half. Bruno Petkovic went on for Rebic, and Luka Ivanusec for Brekalo. 

Croatia was awarded a free kick in the 46th minute which Modric played short. Croatia had their chance a minute later - Perisic was played down the left side, carried the ball into the box and onto his right foot, and nailed the goal far post for 1:1! 

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia came out hungry to start the second half as they knew what was a stake. An incredible defensive backline in the 56th minute kept the game even. 

Vrsaljko fouled outside the box in the 60th minute. The ball went out for a corner which was headed over.

Vlasic came on for Kramaric in the 60th minute. 

The Czech Republic had a few dangerous played in the next five minutes, one of which saw Modric sprint back to get the ball out for a corner.  

An excellent Croatia attack between Gvardiol and Perisic found the foot of Vlasic who shot just over the goal in the 71st minute. 

The Czech Republic got fresh legs in the game with two subs in the 75th minute. 

Croatia tried to push plays down the left wing to Perisic which the Czechs defended well. Dalic subbed on Marcelo Brozovic for Kovacic with 3 minutes to go. 

Petkovic had a chance which went out for a corner in the 88th. Another corner came as a result of it which the Czechs cleared away. The ref added three minutes to the end of the match. 

The match ended 1:1.  

Croatia will play Scotland in their final Group D match on Tuesday, June 22, in Glasgow. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.