Croatia showed their class once more by clinching their third top-three finish at the World Cup with a play-off victory over history-makers Morocco. In a frantic opening, Josko Gvardiol gave Croatia the lead with a superb diving header but Achraf Dari levelled just two minutes later before Mislav Orsic curled in a sumptuous second for Croatia.
Read more
Disjointed Chelsea suffered a shock defeat to Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb on the opening night of their Champions League campaign as Mislav Orsic’s first-half strike was enough to earn a 1-0 victory. Thomas Tuchel’s side were caught napping in 13th minute as Orsic ran from his own half, latching onto a ball from strike partner Bruno Petkovic, to outpace £70m signing Wesley Fofana before dinking the ball over Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Read more
Spain saw a two goal lead evaporate before mounting a comeback of their own to defeat Croatia 3-5 after extra-time. Spain fell behind through a bizarre own goal but recovered and seemed to have put the game to bed before Croatia rallied to force extra time. Spain will now face France or Switzerland in the last eight.
Read more
Tottenham were sent crashing out of the Europa League by Dinamo Zagreb, losing 3-0 after Mislav Orsic’s stunning hat-trick wiped out Spurs’ 2-0 lead from the first leg. Harry Kane’s double last Thursday had put Tottenham in pole position to qualify for the quarter-finals, but they were made to pay for another horrible performance in Croatia.
Read more