Team analysis
Croatia
| No. | Player | Born | Pos. | BUL | AUT | ESP | BEL | ITA | GS | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Šemper | 12/01/1998 | Goalkeeper | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | ||
| 2 | Matej Hudećek | 27/12/1998 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | ||
| 3 | Borna Sosa | 21/01/1998 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 40* | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 4 | Martin Erlić | 24/01/1998 | Defender | 80 | 34* | Parma FC (ITA) | ||||
| 5 | Branimir Kalaica | 01/06/1998 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 6 | Vinko Soldo | 15/02/1998 | Defender | 80 | 80 | 40+ | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 7 | Josip Brekalo | 23/06/1998 | Forward | 80 | 80 | 27+ | 80 | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 8 | Neven Djurasek | 15/08/1998 | Midfield | 73* | 80 | 80* | 80* | NK Varaždin (CRO) | ||
| 9 | Karlo Majić | 03/03/1998 | Forward | 80 | 80* | 25+ | 65* | 1 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 10 | Nikola Moro | 12/03/1998 | Midfield | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 1 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 11 | Davor Lovren | 03/10/1998 | Forward | 20+ | 66* | 55* | 80 | 80 | 1 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) |
| 12 | Ivan Nevistić | 31/07/1998 | Goalkeeper | 80 | NK Osijek (CRO) | |||||
| 13 | Mihael Briški | 02/01/1999 | Defender | 80 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |||||
| 14 | Dino Halilović | 08/02/1998 | Midfield | 7+ | 80 | 1+ | 20+ | Cornella (ESP) | ||
| 15 | Saša Urošević | 26/01/1999 | Midfield | 80 | NK Istra 1961 (CRO) | |||||
| 16 | Marko Gjira | 05/05/1999 | Midfield | 80* | 46+ | 70* | 60* | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | ||
| 17 | Matko Babić | 28/07/1998 | Forward | 60* | 14+ | 53* | 15+ | 15+ | 1 | NK Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) |
| 18 | Adrian Blečić | 08/03/1998 | Forward | 1+ | 1+ | 80 | 65* | 1 | GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | |
| 19 | Adrian Zenko | 04/04/1998 | Midfield | 80 | 10+ | 1+ | HNK Gorica (CRO) |
©Sportsfile
Coach: Dario Bašić
10/05/85
"We conceded only one goal in our five matches, but the one scored by Belgium was a psychological setback for us. It was a high-pressure game and, in the shoot-out, they kept their cool better than us. It was important for the players to realise that football – and life – are like that. The next time they are in a situation like that, they will handle the pressure better. They reacted extremely well and it was a solid performance against Italy that allowed us to achieve our objective of qualifying for Chile."
Croatia team analysis
• 4-2-3-1 with player rotation but five always in controlling roles
• Rapid transitions in both directions with spells of high pressing
• Excellent constructive passing game with good options for ball-carrier
• Ubiquitous Nikola Moro the key component in linking defence to attack
• Well-organised, disciplined compact defending; good links between lines
• Good width; wingers cutting in, full-backs attacking, notably Borna Sosa on left
• Athletic, skilful players with varied tactical options, great team spirit