FARO, 6 June 2025 – Croatia began their FIFA World Cup Group L qualifying campaign with a big 7-0 victory over Gibraltar on Friday night at the Estádio Algarve in Faro, Portugal.
The victory matches Croatia’s record for their largest win, tying the 7-0 triumph over Andorra back in 2008.
Due to Gibraltar’s home stadium not meeting FIFA requirements, the match was played at a neutral venue in front of a small crowd, with Croatia opting to rotate their squad ahead of Monday’s tougher fixture against Czechia in Osijek.
Manager Zlatko Dalić gave some of his key players a rest, with Luka Modrić, Joško Gvardiol and Andrej Kramarić all starting on the bench.
Despite the reshuffled line-up, Croatia dominated proceedings from outset, although they struggled to turn possession into clear-cut chances early on.
Croatia controlled the tempo of the match, comfortably seeing off any minimal threats early from the World No. 196-ranked side.
1-0
The move came down the left flank and was one of Croatia’s first incisive moments in the final third.
2-0
Just two minutes later, Croatia doubled their advantage. A corner from Perišić found Pašalić in the box, whose effort from close range deflected off striker Ante Budimir and past the Gibraltar keeper to make it 2-0.
Perišić makes another run down the left, floats a pass over the defense and substitute Franjo Ivanović controls it well, nudges the ball with his toe, and it slips past Gibraltar’s defence, rolling over the line into the net for his first international goal.4-0
Ivanović scores his second, Croatia’s fourth, with Perišić pivotal in all four. This time, Perišić beats his man and delivers a cross that Ivanović finishes.
5-0
Perišić gets one deservedly for himself. A cross from the right from Marco Pašalić picks out Perišič who strikes it first time on the volley into the back of the net.
6-0
Andrej Kramarić makes it six when Lovro Majer puts him threw on goal and after sending the defender the wrong way he would calmly slot the ball past the Gibraltar keeper.
7-0
Kramarić gets another when all he has to do is tap home into an empty net after Ivanović squares the ball back to him after doing the hard work.
With three points secured, Croatia now turn their attention to a sterner test as they prepare to host Czechia in Osijek on Monday. The other sides in Group L are Montenegro and the Faroe Islands.
0 Comments