Team analysis
Croatia
| No. | Player | Born | Pos. | ITA | RUS | UKR | GS | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marko Marić | 03/01/1996 | Goalkeeper | 80 | 80 | 80 | SK Rapid Wien (AUT) | |
| 2 | Marko Stolnik | 08/07/1996 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 35+ | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 3 | Petar Mamić | 06/03/1996 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 79 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 4 | Ivan Šunjić | 09/10/1996 | Midfield | 80 | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 5 | Duje Ćaleta-Car | 17/09/1996 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 80 | HNK Šibenik (CRO) | |
| 6 | Franjo Prce | 07/01/1996 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 80 | HNK Hajduk Split (CRO) | |
| 7 | Josip Bašić | 02/03/1996 | Midfield | 80 | 52* | 80 | HNK Hajduk Split (CRO) | |
| 8 | Ante Roguljić | 11/03/1996 | Midfield | 80 | 80 | 45* | NK Adriatic Split (CRO) | |
| 9 | Fran Brodić | 08/01/1997 | Forward | 59* | 61* | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 10 | Alen Halilović | 18/06/1996 | Midfield | 80 | 80 | 80 | 1 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) |
| 11 | Frane Vojković | 20/12/1996 | Midfield | 80 | 80 | 63* | HNK Hajduk Split (CRO) | |
| 12 | Ivo Grbić | 18/01/1996 | Goalkeeper | HNK Hajduk Split (CRO) | ||||
| 13 | Hrvoje Džijan | 26/06/1996 | Defender | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | ||||
| 14 | Anton Krešić | 29/01/1996 | Defender | NK Zagreb (CRO) | ||||
| 15 | Lukas Ćuljak | 05/03/1996 | Defender | FC Bayern München (GER) | ||||
| 16 | Ivan Fiolić | 29/04/1996 | Midfield | 17+ | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |||
| 17 | Karlo Lulić | 10/05/1996 | Midfield | 19+ | NK Osijek (CRO) | |||
| 18 | Robert Murić | 12/03/1996 | Forward | 21+ | 28+ | 80 | 1 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) |
©Sportsfile
Coach
Ivan Gudelj
21/09/60
Our defence played excellently – all four, plus the goalkeeper and the two defensive midfielders. We were dominant for the most part and had some good chances. But we had problems in finding the final ball. I was sad we didn't go through because we were the best team in the group. I think we deserved to go further, because we did everything that was needed – except that we lacked calm finishing when it was needed. Now we will have another chance at the World Cup.
Croatia team analysis
• 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with single or twin screening midfielders
• Mix of possession-based build-ups and direct counterattacking
• Well-organised defence; 1 v 1 ability and aerial strength
• Good use of flanks with adventurous full-backs
• Middle-to-front creativity; Alen Halilović (No10), control, vision, running with the ball
• Fast transitions; immediate strong pressure after loss of ball
• Dangerous set plays; aerial power and free-kick specialist Halilovic