Who had withheld Croatia, a team with as many lives as there are battles under Luka Modric's legs, demonstrated once again that seniority and experience are not incompatible with success and was able to come from behind twice against the host Netherlands to get into their first Nations League final.
A classic of extra time like Croatia, which has played nine extensions in its last twelve single-game qualifiers, and an expert in achieving the impossible in the final minutes like the Netherlands, which almost surprised Argentina in the World Cup, they did not disappoint. and they took this first semifinal to an agonizing overtime. There the Balkans prevailed thanks to a fantastic goal by Petkovic from outside the area.
Ronald Koeman surprised from the start with the same idea that Pep Guardiola has introduced to European champion Manchester City with John Stones and incorporated a center-back into midfield, in this case Geetruida, with the idea of generating superiority. The bet was correct and Croatia, despite having Brozovic, Kovacic and Modric in the middle, had a hard time advancing meters with the ball played. Meanwhile, the Netherlands was able to recover quickly and leave quickly, mainly on the right wing, where Donyell Malen was a real nightmare with his uncheck into space
The best sensations of the Dutch did not translate into clear occasions during the first half hour. Despite the loss of Gvardiol in the center of the rear, Croatia managed to sufficiently control the rival offenses, until halfway through the first half everything changed.
After a great choral combination, the Netherlands generated superiority inside the area thanks to a spectacular pass through Ake from the left. Wieffer controlled and assisted Malen, who beat Livakovic with a cross shot. Koeman's men achieved a juicy prize for their territorial superiority in the first hit.
It didn't take too long for Croatia to turn around and go in search of an equalizer. Although almost always set pieces. Little by little they were able to step on their rival's area, although without clarity. Before the break, Malen warned again, that an action very similar to that of the goal ended without success.
After the restart, Croatia was much more offensive and managed to get out with speed on several occasions. Kramaric warned with a shot from the front that did not take enough thread to go to the squad. But shortly after the striker would tie through a penalty. Modric's seniority or Gakpo's clumsiness. The Dutch forward controlled long and held the small Croatian midfielder too tightly.
The Netherlands did not change their plan, but they did increase the pressure on the Croatians to leave, and they were able to overwhelm Livakovic again. First Koopmeiners shot high after a good steal on Croatian soil. Later it was Gakpo who shot with little intention inside the area.
With a quarter of an hour to go, Croatia took the lead thanks to a cross from the left by Ivanusec at mid-height that Pasalic, faced with the passivity of Van Dijk, sent into the back of the net with a well-timed left-footed shot.
In despair, Gakpo had the tie after a series of rebounds in the added time. And when all seemed lost for the locals, Lang rescued a lost ball in the area to send it into the net. Already in extra time, Petkovic and Modric resolved the duel. Thus, the semifinalist and finalist of the last two World Cups will seek on Sunday the title that recognizes this fantastic generation of footballers.
