If any defeat can be positive - Montenegrin football players experienced it tonight against Croatia in the last match of the World Cup qualifiers.
"The Fiery Ones" celebrated 3:2 under Gorica, and our team played a serious, truly competitive match for at least 60 minutes, when it probably convinced itself that it can compete with the greats, that it has the right to believe in surprises that have not happened for a long time...
These 90 or so minutes certainly leave a more positive impression, unlike anything else in these qualifiers, which is why it's a shame that the final result isn't better.
Because the "falcons" were leading 2:0, creating and missing chances by knowing how to exploit the Croatians' weaknesses.
But Zlatko Dalić's team has many more virtues, so when Mirko Vučinić on one side and the Croatian coach on the other side started making substitutions, the situation on the field began to change. Until the final score was 2:3...
Osmajić in the 3rd minute and Krstović in the 17th minute brought our team a great 2:0, and the Croats reduced the deficit by halftime when Perišić took advantage of a penalty and Rubežić's careless contact with Jakić...
Montenegro had two great chances in the second half - through Jovetić and Krstović, but the opponents hit the net.
First, Jakić tied the score at 2:2 about twenty minutes before the end, and the shock came in the 87th minute when Perović made a mistake and Vlašić brought Croatia the triumph with a powerful shot under the crossbar.
It wasn't over then either, Montenegro didn't give up and tied the game at 3:3, but Vukotić shot badly from five meters after Perović's assist...
End of the match - Montenegro lost 3:2 in a match in which they were 2:0 up and in which they created many chances.
Thus, she ended the World Cup qualifiers with a defeat that she apparently did not deserve.
Vukotić missed a shot in the 92nd minute - Perović made a brilliant pass down the left side, crossed on the ground, and the Partizan player shot sloppily. Bad enough for Livaković to save.
Three minutes of stoppage time will be played.
Turnaround - Croatia leads 3:2 in the 87th minute.
Vlašić scored after a big mistake by Perović - the Torino midfielder broke through Nikić's net.
Watch Vlašić's goal here.
MONTENEGRO - CROATIA 2:3
Osmajić 3, Krstović 17 - Perišić (penalty) 37, Jakić 73, Vlašić 87.
Vučinić's last substitutions - Šipčić and Brnović are on the field, the end for Vešović and Bulatović.
Luka Modrić also entered on the other side and received what such an ace deserves - applause from the Podgorica crowd.
Croatia equalized in the 73nd minute - 2:2, scored by Jakić.
The goal was initially disallowed due to offside, but the first slow-motion video showed everything - VAR reacted quickly because the Croatian right-back was in a legal position at the moment Musa hit the post.
Watch the equalizing goal here.
With 20 minutes left in the game, Montenegro maintains the lead.
Vasilije Adžić and Milan Vukotić are on the field - instead of Stefan Lončar and Stevan Jovetić, who was greeted with ovations.
What a shame! Krstović masterfully tried from the edge of the penalty area, looking for a further corner of Livaković's goal and hitting the post.
It was a great chance, the second in the second half for our team.
Dalić made a substitution at half-time, and made another in the 55th minute - Kramarić came on for Ivanovic.
The first danger in the second half, in front of the Croatian goal.
Montenegro's counterattack was almost perfect, Krstović passed to Jovetić, and the captain's shot was saved by Livaković.
The second half began, coach Mirko Vučinić made one change - Perović came on for Rubežić.
Formation-wise, Marušić has now been reassigned to the center back position.
End of the first half - Montenegro leads 2:1.
The "falcons" had a phenomenal start, taking the lead in the 3rd minute through Osmajić, and in the 17th minute Krstović scored for 2:0.
Croatia reduced the deficit in the 37th minute from a Perišić penalty after a foul by Rubežić on Jakić - the Montenegrin defender could have avoided the situation, and referee Möller pointed to the white spot after a call from the VAR room.
Croatia pulled one back in the 37th minute - Perišić was a sure scorer from the penalty spot for 2:1.
Check out the contact between Rubežić and Jakić, and the penalty by Perišić. here.
Penalty for Croatia - Rubežić was careless in the duel with Jakić, even though he first had contact with the ball before hitting his rival.
Referee Möller reacted to the call from the VAR room, so the "fire" have a chance to reduce the deficit.
Mirko Vučinić and Zlatko Dalić, the coaches of Montenegro and Croatia, respectively, had a real friendly meeting right before the start of the match - and an exchange of jerseys followed.
Montenegrin football players dominate, and from the section of the stands where the Croatian fans are seated, tones can be heard that no one wanted to hear. Or at least hoped that there wouldn't be any:
"Kill a Serb", "Ready for the homeland", "The Ustasha flag is flying" - these are just some of the slogans heard from the southern stand of the stadium under Gorica.
This was, of course, followed by outcry and boos.
GOOOAL, MONTENEGRO LEADS 2:0!
Krstović is a scorer, he scored with a phenomenal shot from 20 meters - Livaković was helpless.
Great play by the "brave falcons" in the first part of the first half, an even better result.
Watch Krstović's goal here.
Bonus video:
