Croatia opened their UEFA Nations League A campaign with a 2-1 win over Czechia at Fortuna Arena in Prague on Saturday, Luka Modrić scoring early in the second half before substitute Marco Pašalić headed the winner. Adam Karabec had briefly levelled for Santi Denia's side, who later saw a Matej Radosta finish overturned by VAR for offside.
Match facts
- Result: Czechia 1-2 Croatia (half-time 0-0)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group 3, Matchday 1
- Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague
- Scorers: Czechia - A. Karabec 54'; Croatia - L. Modrić 47', Marco Pašalić 77'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Czechia v England, Tuesday 29 September; Spain v Croatia, Tuesday 29 September
How the match unfolded
The first half finished goalless. Lukáš Červ was booked in the 36th minute for Czechia, but clear chances were scarce as Slaven Bilić's Croatia and the hosts cancelled each other out. Croatia held more of the ball (56.5% possession on the BBC Sport match stats) without finding a breakthrough before the interval.
Modrić broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, finishing after an assist from Igor Matanović. Czechia responded quickly: Karabec equalised in the 54th minute, Adam Hložek providing the assist, and the home crowd briefly believed the points might be shared.
Bilić reshaped his attack around the hour mark. Marco Pašalić came on in the 63rd minute — with Mario Pašalić and Ante Budimir also introduced in the same window — and, with 13 minutes left, headed Croatia back in front from an Ivan Perišić cross. Two minutes later Czechia thought they had levelled again when Matej Radosta scored, but VAR overturned the goal for an offside against Hložek. The decision left Czechia still chasing at 1-2.
There were no red cards. Referee Simone Sozza oversaw a contest Croatia edged on shots (16-5) and touches in the opposition box (27-8). Luka Vušković was booked for Croatia in the 66th minute; Alex Král, on as a substitute, was shown yellow deep in stoppage time for Czechia. Dominik Livaković was rarely seriously tested after Karabec's equaliser as Croatia managed the closing stages.
What it means for Group 3
Croatia sit second in League A Group 3 on three points, level with Spain — who beat England 3-2 at Wembley — on goal difference after Matchday 1. Czechia are bottom with none and must recover quickly before hosting England on Tuesday.
Elsewhere in League A on Friday, France edged Türkiye 1-0 on Zidane's debut and Belgium beat Italy 2-0 in Rome. In League A Group 4, Erling Haaland's brace helped Norway past Denmark.
What happens next
Czechia host England on Tuesday 29 September in Prague. Croatia travel to Spain the same evening. Both results will clarify whether Saturday's winners can stay with the early pace in a group that already looks demanding for both of tonight's sides.