World Cup Qualifiers: Croatia fail, Netherlands win

After three consecutive victories, Croatia failed on the eighth day of the World Cup qualifiers in the Group H qualifiers. Zlatko Dalic’s team did not get past 2-2 in the second leg against Slovakia.

Ivan Schranz (20th) and Lukas Harslon (45th) gave the visitors the lead twice, and Andrej Kramaric (25th) and Luka Modric tied with a direct free kick (71). The VAR canceled the supposed winning goal for Croatia through substitute Nikola Vlasic due to offside.

Linz-born Luka Sucic of FC Red Bull Salzburg will celebrate his team’s debut as Vice World Champion in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, Russia is celebrating its 2-1 win over Slovenia and topping the standings. Igor Davieev (28) and Georgi Djekia (32) for the Russians, Josip Ilicic is successful for Slovenia (40).

Cyprus and Malta separate 2-2.

Croatia (17) is two points behind the Russians (19), followed by Slovakia and Slovenia with ten points each.

A fugitive victory for the Netherlands

In Group G, the Netherlands celebrate the expected victory in their home game against Gibraltar. The Portuguese prevail 6-0. Virgil van Dijk (9th), Memphis Depay (21st, 45th / Elver), Denzel Dumfries (48th), Arnott Danjuma (75th) and Doniel Mallin (86th) scored the goals.

Norway remains behind the Dutch, who lead the standings with 19 points. Thanks to a 2-0 home win over Montenegro, in which Mohamed El-Younoussi scored twice (29, 90 +6), the Scandinavians are still two points behind.

Turkey turned its deficit into a 2-1 win in Latvia. Merih Demiral put Belts ahead with an own goal in the 70th minute, with a header from Serdar Dorsun (75) Adel, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Burak Yilmaz converted a penalty kick into a late victory. Turkey is ranked third, 15 points behind Montenegro (11), Latvia (5) and Gibraltar (0).