Croatia Vs Montenegro Highlights, FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers: CRO 4-0 MNE; Hosts Romp To Top Of Group L

Hello and welcome to everyone joining us late Monday for some football action. The FIFA World Cup qualifiers pit continental stalwarts Croatia against Montenegro and we will present to you the build-up as well as live updates from the Group L clash.

The match kicks off at 12:15am IST. The Croatia vs Montenegro, FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match will be live streamed on the Sony LIV app and website in India. It will be telecast on the Sony Sports Ten 2 SD and HD TV channels in the country.

Here is how Croatia line up for their face-off with Montenegro tonight:

And this is how Montenegro start and line up for the game:

Play begins in Zagreb. Croatia attacking from right to left and Montenegro from left to right in the first half. As expected, the hosts have the world no. 77 side's defence under early pressure, hogging their half and trying to find an early inroad.

In Greece's Attica, the 'Ethniki' are up against Denmark in a crucial Group C encounter. The game is currently on level terms at 0-0; head over to our dedicated blog for live updates.

There comes the opener for Croatia. Captain Luka Modric lines up an assist for Kristian Jakic, who strikes from distance via his left foot into the bottom left corner. The defensive midfielder scores in the 35th minute to bring up his maiden international goal in the process.

Montenegro in deep, deep trouble now as they are left with 10 men on the pitch for the rest of the game. The 18-year-old Andrija Bulatovic gets his second yellow card of the match and is sent off in the 42nd minute. Croatia hold all the aces now.

After three minutes of injury time, the first half ends with Croatia firmly in front. Kristian Jakic handed them the lead and Andrija Bulatovic's early ejection means only something special can save Montenegro from here.

The two sets of players return from the lemon break and the second half starts. Croatia attacking from left to right and Montenegro from right to left now. The hosts have the chance to really pile on the misery for their lower-ranked opponents, especially considering the numerical advantage they enjoy.

As ordained, Croatia double their lead in the 51st minute. Josip Stanisic heads down Luka Modric's inswinging cross and Andrej Kramaric easily taps it down at the far post to score. The floodgates could open now, unless Montenegro can display some fight against the odds.

Kosovo lead Sweden 2-0 in Pristina currently, banking on first-half goals from Elvis Rexhbecaj (26th) and Vedat Muriqi (42nd). The Group B match is into its 68th minute and is crucial in the two teams' battle to take the second spot after leaders Switzerland.

Montenegro have been pretty awry with their passing and are very fortunate to be only two goals down at this stage against the far superior Croatia. The result appears to be a foregone conclusion anyway.

There comes Croatia's third, almost as if on cue. Lovro Majer is the man instrumental for this one as his shot deflects off Montenegrin defensive midfielder Edvin Kuc's boot and balloons into the visitors' net. It's registered as an own goal and Montenegro now, surely waiting for this ordeal to end.

Croatia add a fourth to compound Montenegro's woes in injury time. Ivan Perisic latches on to Majer's assist in the second minute of added time. The final whistle eventually blows, and Modric's side notch up their fourth straight win to go top of group L ahead of Czechia.

As for the visitors, the horror night finally ends and they are fourth in the five-team standings with six points from five games.