Croatia overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Netherlands 4-2 and advance to this weekend’s championship match.
Donyell Malen gave the Netherlands the lead in the opening period with a straightforward goal into the bottom corner. Luka Modric was fouled by Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo in the area during the second half, and Croatia was given a penalty that Andrej Kramaric successfully converted. After 72 minutes, Mario Pasalic turned the tide with a superb finish off a cross from Luka Ivanusec.Noa Lang equalized late in the game after sending the ball into the roof of the net.
Bruno Petkovic, a substitute, scored superbly from the edge of the box and curled a shot into the bottom corner from range, and Croatia edged ahead once more in the opening period of extra time. Prior to the end of regulation, both teams had excellent chances. Lang missed a golden opportunity, Pasalic hit the crossbar, and Tyrell Malacia fouled Petkovic in the area to award a second penalty. Before Petkovic had a fifth goal disallowed by VAR, Modric went up and scored.
