UEFA Nations League 2026-27: Luka Modrić And Marco Pašalić Fire Croatia To Hard-Fought 2-1 Away Win Over Czechia
Croatia kicked off their UEFA Nations League 2026–27 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Czechia at a packed Fortuna Arena in Prague. After a tense and tightly contested scoreless first half, the evergreen captain Luka Modrić broke the deadlock just moments after the restart with a vintage, trademark long-range strike that stunned the home crowd. Czechia responded with resilience, applying sustained pressure until substitute Adam Karabec clinically leveled the score in the 68th minute to ignite hopes of a comeback. However, Croatia's tactical depth proved decisive. Head coach Zlatko Dalic's fresh legs paid immediate dividends when substitute Marco Pašalić restored the lead in the 76th minute with a composed finish, securing a crucial three points away from home for the Vatreni.
Croatia's Ante Budimir fights for the ball with Czechia's Vladimir Coufal, left, during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Croatia's Luka Vuskovic, center, jumps for the ball between Czechia's Robin Hranac and Adam Hlozek, right, during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Czechia's Matej Radosta, left, runs celebrating after scoring a goal later disallowed for offside during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Croatia's Marco Pasalic, right, scores his side's second goal next to Czechia's Jiri Slama during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Croatia's Marco Pasalic, right, scores his side's second goal past Czechia goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Croatia's Petar Sucic runs with the ball away from Czechia's Stepan Chaloupek, right, during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Czechia's Adam Karabec, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Croatia's Luka Modric, 2nd left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Czechia's Pavel Sulc, left, watches as Croatia's Luka Modric controls the ball during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
Croatia's Petar Sucic, left, vies for the ball with Czechia's Lukas Cerv during the Nations League soccer match between Czechia and Croatia in Prague. | Photo: AP/Petr David Josek
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