Modric leads Croatia into Euro 2020 knockout stage

Sports Desk, Jun 22 (EFE).- Real Madrid’s Luka Modric scored what proved to be the winning goal for Croatia against Scotland as the 2018 World Cup runners-up rebounded from poor performances in their first two matches at Euro 2020 to secure a berth in the last 16.

Scotland got off to a vigorous start in front of the Tartan Army at Glasgow’s Hampden Park and John McGinn tested Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in the 6th minute.

The initiative soon passed to the visitors, who went ahead in the 17th minute on a goal by Nikola Vlasic, but Callum McGregor broke Scotland’s 25-year-long scoring drought in the 42nd minute to make it 1-1 at the break.

McGinn missed the target in the 59th minute, three minutes before Modric restored the lead for Croatia. The 2018 recipient of the Ballon d’Or found the top corner of the net with a strike off the outside of his foot.

Ivan Perisic headed-in a Modric cross in the 77th minute to seal the victory, which brought the team level on points with the Czech Republic.

With the third goal against the Scots, Croatia beat out the Czechs for second place in the group behind winners England. EFE

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