‘Kovačić Multi-Goal’ Croatia Swallows Turkey 2-0… Jump to 1st in Group

Croatia, who was careless and lost, was not careless twice.

On the morning of the 29th (Korean time), Croatia beat Turkiye (Turkey) 2-0 in the 2024 Euro qualifier group D second round match held at Konia Municipal Stadium in Konia, Turkey.

In the match, both teams showed aggressive football with their lines raised, and Turkey, which aimed at the space behind Croatia’s defense from the beginning of the first half, attacked hard, but was hit by a counterattack by Croatia and collapsed after allowing two goals in the first half.

The two goals were scored by Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic. Kovačić’s superb positioning crowned a golden opportunity created by his teammate. 안전놀이터

In the 19th minute of the first half, Kovačić scored the first goal in the opponent’s box with a shot that his teammate Mario Pasalic (Atalanta) missed during his personal period, and scored the first goal with a shot that the opposing goalkeeper, Mert Gwinnock, could not even react to. It was his 5th goal in A match.

Shortly before the end of the first half, with the team leading 1-0, he again broke the net for Turkiye with a superb positioning.

Inside the box on the left, Pasalic once again broke through the dribble and attempted a shot, and the ball caught in the goalkeeper’s hand accidentally landed in front of Kovacic, who was rushing in. Kovacic, who pushed it lightly, completed the first half 2-0. It was his 6th goal in A match.

In the 12th minute of the second half, with Croatia leading 2-0, another goal was almost scored.

Luka Modric (Real Madrid) delivered a low cross from the deep right side following depressurization, which was delivered to Pasalic’s feet. However, Pasalic’s light shot went straight to the goalkeeper and did not lead to an additional goal. 

In the end, Croatia, which successfully blocked the opponent’s offensive using a substitute card in the second half, played a careless game this time and kept a 2-0 lead. With the win, Croatia took first place in Group D, one goal ahead of second-place Wales.