Croatia crush Montenegro 4-0 in World Cup qualifier

WEB DESK: Croatia produced a commanding display at Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium on Sunday, sweeping aside Montenegro 4-0 to extend their unbeaten run in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and move to the top of Group L. Zlatko Dalić’s men, led by the evergreen Luka Modrić, were simply too strong for their Balkan neighbours, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half and never recovered.

The game began with Croatia taking immediate control, dictating possession and pressing Montenegro deep into their own half. Their breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Kristijan Jakić weaved past two defenders before rifling a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Montenegro’s hopes took another hit seven minutes later when Andrija Bulatović was shown a second yellow card, leaving Robert Prosinecki’s side to battle the remaining 50 minutes a man down.

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Croatia doubled their lead shortly after the restart. Modrić delivered a trademark corner, Josip Stanišić flicked it on, and Andrej Kramarić was on hand to prod home from close range in the 50th minute. Montenegro’s resistance briefly held thanks to goalkeeper Danijel Petković, who pulled off a string of fine saves, including a superb stop to deny Lovro Majer. But luck deserted the visitors in the 85th minute, when Edvin Kuč inadvertently deflected Majer’s shot into his own net to make it 3-0.

Veteran Ivan Perišić put the gloss on Croatia’s night in stoppage time, pouncing on a defensive mix-up to calmly slot in the fourth. The 36-year-old’s finish underlined Croatia’s depth and experience, as the home fans erupted in celebration.

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Montenegro, who managed just one meaningful attempt when Nikola Krstović’s late shot was easily gathered by Dominik Livaković, looked outclassed throughout. Their back-to-back defeats leave their qualifying hopes hanging in the balance, while Croatia march on with maximum points and a formidable +16 goal difference in the campaign so far.

For Dalić, it was the perfect statement ahead of their looming clash with the Czech Republic, another step in proving that Croatia’s golden generation, even as it ages, remains determined to reach another World Cup. For Montenegro, however, this was a humbling reminder of the gap they must bridge if they are to dream of a place in 2026.