Scared and confused "falcons" can't even threaten the class of "fiery" ones: Croatia "outplays" Montenegro at a leisurely pace

Our national football team barely crossed the center line at "Maksimir", Croatia celebrated 4:0

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Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.
Ažurirano: 08.09.2025. 23:29h
Finished
22h AM

When the packed "Maksimir" applauds Nikola Krstović's weak shot at the Croatian goal in stoppage time, then perhaps it becomes clear what Montenegro looked like in Zagreb.

The "Falcons" played probably the worst match in history, Croatia celebrated 4:0 in a slow rhythm, as if in a slightly stronger training session, in the 5th round of World Cup qualifiers.

It is clear that Croatia is a world superpower, a team that has brought home medals from the last two World Cups, but the approach of our team is worrying - they looked without courage, ideas and somehow confused on the grass of the football temple in Zagreb. 

And, that is not changed by the fact that Robert Prosinečki's team played with ten men from the 42nd minute and two yellow cards for Andrija Bulatović. From the first minute, it was clear how the first match in the history of Montenegro and Croatia would unfold.

Kristijan Jakić's mastery, then Andrej Kramarić's, then Edvin Kuč's own goal and finally Ivan Perišić's goal sealed the home team's easy and well-deserved victory.

Croatia finished the match with 75 percent possession and 32 shots, Montenegro's first shot (whatever) on the opponent's goal was in the 77th minute.

Without an idea, without any indication that Montenegro had a game, another match under the leadership of Robert Prosinečki was over.

Change: 23:20 p.m
22h AM

The end of the game and the end of Montenegro's suffering - it was the first match between the "falcons" and Croatia in history, but also one of the worst ever for our national team.

The home team slowly reached 4:0, with Jakić, Kramarić, Kuč (own goal) and Perišić scoring.

22h AM

93' - Croatia could have made it 5:0, but Petković saves once again.

22h AM

92' - At a slow pace, Croatia reaches 4:0, the scorer is Perišić.

22h AM

90' - Once again, Petković saves Montenegro - the Ćaleta-Car shot.

22h AM

A nice message from our fans at "Maksimir".

22h AM

85' - Croatia reaches 3:0, Majer shoots, and Kuč, wanting to block his shot, deflects the ball into the net. 

22h AM

77 ' - Finally a good move by our national team - Krstović and Kuč created a pass for Lončar, but the Montenegrin midfielder shot weakly wide of the goal.

The first shot in the "falcon" match.

22h AM

75 ' - Petković saved the "falcons" - after Majer's shot, he also saved Budimir's shot.

22h AM

72 ' - Montenegro's first corner kick, unfortunately, that's the news from this match. 

22h AM

70 ' - Modrić, Perišić and Kramarić did not take advantage of the new chances for Croatia.

22h AM

65 ' - The match at "Maksimir" is watched by 21.209 spectators, and after a little over an hour of play, Croatia has 20 shots on goal, Montenegro none.

22h AM

59' - Jovetic can't do it either - injury to our captain. An image that was forgotten - Montenegro's "ten" grabbed a muscle and left the field.

Lončar came in instead, while Camaj also came out, and Andrija Vukčević is in the game. 

21h AM

54 ' - Two great chances for Croatia in one minute. First Modrić shot dangerously, but Petrović intervened well. After that, Kramarić tried too, but was blocked.

21h AM

51' - Another goal for Croatia, Montenegro's desperate defense stops it. Modrić crosses from a corner, Stanišić heads it alone, and Kramarić also easily shook the net without any obstacles.

Croatia - Montenegro 2:0. 

Croatian national football team
photo: Reuters
21h AM

51 ' - Croatia continues to press, Ivanovic tried, but Savic intervened well.

21h AM

46 ' - The second half started, Prosinečki's first reaction was to introduce Marko Bakić. Vukotić was taken out of the game.

21h AM

The first half is over, quite painful for the "falcons" - Croatia leads 1:1, has 0 percent possession, 74 shots on Petković's goal, and Montenegro has not made a single attempt on the invisible Livaković.

In addition, our national team has been playing without Andrija Bulatović since the 42nd minute, who was sent off due to two yellow cards.

Croatia - Montenegro 1:0.

Andrija Bulatović, Montenegro national football team
photo: Reuters
21h AM

45 + 3 ' - Instead of a good attempt by Montenegro, after a desperate reception by Brnović, Croatia's counterattack came, but fortunately Kramarić was poorly hit.

21h AM

42' - The struggles continue - Montenegro will have to play with a player less until the end. Young Andrija Bulatović received a second yellow card after Modrić pulled out.

The first one made money because of the objection.

Bonus video: