Three goals for hosts' joy

Estonia defeats Croatia in Tallinn friendly

28.03.2017.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the ninth encounter with the Estonians, Croatia national football team had to admit defeat for the first time.

ESTONIA - CROATIA 3:0 (1:0)
Friendly international.
A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.

Referee: M. Clattenburg (England)

Goals: 1:0 - Luts (1'), 2:0 - Vassiljev (81'), 3:0 - Zenjov (84')

Cautions: Baranov (45+1'), Lešković (67')

Estonia: Aksalu (46' Meerits), Toomet (76' Vassiljev), Anier (70' Zenjov), Käit, Klavan, Luts, Mets, Kallaste, Dmitrijev (86' Antonov), Baranov, Teniste (86' Mööt). Head coach: M. Reim.

Croatia: L. Kalinić, Lešković, Mitrović, Vida (84' Jedvaj), Bradarić (58' Badelj), Rog (58' Pivarić), Kovačić, Pjaca (66' Ćorić), Perišić, Kramarić, Čop. Head coach: A. Čačić.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Following the successful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Friday, Ante Čačić's men visited Tallinn to play a friendly international against the host Estonia.

Croatia was without the injured duo Ćorluka and Vrsaljko, while Subašić, Modrić, Rakitić, Mandžukić, N. Kalinić, and Brozović have already rejoined their respective clubs. Head coach Čačić has therefore decided to try a couple of players with less minutes in the national jersey.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

It took only 57 seconds for Estonia to score: Luts finished off his breakthrough beating L. Kalinić to make it 1:0.

Searching for an equalizer, Vida tried a header, Pjaca a low shot, both Estonia goalkeeper Aksalu was well positioned. On 31 minutes, Aksalu saved a quality header from Čop, and ten minutes later captain Perišić's powerful strike found the outside of the net.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Estonia came close to doubling the lead in 41st minute, when L. Kalinić saved an excellent opportunity from Toomet, and Lešković replied in the dying seconds of the half, with Aksalu saving his team once again.

In the second half, it was Čop who tried first, but on 64 minutes Pjaca was forced off with an injury. Kramarić later tried a shot from distance, but the Estonians managed to score again.

On 81 minutes, Vassiljev found the bottom corner to double the lead, and three minutes later he assisted Zenjov, who made it 3:0.

Croatia plays its next match on 27 May, a Los Angeles friendly against Mexico.

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