Croatia defeats the Netherlands to go to the Nations League final

Croatia defeated the Netherlands 4-2 in extra time of their Nations League semifinal on Wednesday in Rotterdam to move to the championship game on Sunday.

Croatia, who maintained their momentum from last year’s World Cup in Qatar, when they finished third, will play either Italy or Spain, who square off in the second semi-final in Enschede on Thursday.

Eight minutes into extra time, substitute Bruno Petkovic curled in a beautiful shot from the outside of the penalty box to set them on their way, and Luka Modric’s late penalty, their second of the match, ensured Croatia’s victory.

The four-nation tournament was being hosted by the Netherlands, who despite being completely outplayed in front of their home crowd at the Feyenoord Stadium forced extra time with a last-second equalise to guarantee it ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

The hosts took the lead thanks to Donyell Malen in the 34th minute, but 10 minutes into the second half, Andrej Kramaric tied the score from the penalty spot.

After Mario Pasalic gave Croatia the lead in the 73rd minute, Noa Lang equalised six minutes into stoppage time by sidefooting the ball into the roof of the goal.

The opening goal for the Netherlands was scored against the flow of play but came after a rapid sequence of passes that featured quick feet and accurate thinking.

By gaining control of the ball, Cody Gakpo set up the goal. Five passes later, Mats Wieffer put up an unmarked Malen to score.

But it was the street smarts of Croatian captain Modric that brought them even. He stole the ball from Dutchman Gakpo in the penalty area, and the 37-year-old veteran was pulled to the ground to earn a penalty as a result.

Kramaric calmly tucked it away, and Luka Ivanusec then delivered a cross into Pasalic, who shot home on the turn despite having a number of Dutch players around him to give Croatia a 2-1 lead.

However, in a last-ditch effort, the Dutch capitalised on Croatia’s inability to clear their lines, with Lang well positioned to equalise and send the match into overtime.

Parity, however, was short-lived. Petkovic was given a clear look at goal thanks to a feed from Modric, and he curled the ball into the net with a strike fit for a cup final victory.

With the last-second penalty kick, Modric sealed another fantastic individual effort and sealed the victory.

The Netherlands will now compete against the Thursday losers in the third-place playoff game in Enschede on Sunday. Later that day, in Rotterdam, is the final.