Split (Croatia): Croatia secured their place at the 2022 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Russia on Sunday, endless goals from Fedor Kudryashov swung the game for harsh battle in a swampy condition.
Finalists at the last World Cup in 2018, Croatia seemed to be bound to play-offs for most Sundays, when they worked hard on a water flooded with a firm Russian defense.
But Kudryashov’s error saw them seized the top position from the visitors eight minutes from time and secured their trip to next year’s tournament in Qatar.
An early header from Andrej Kramaric set the tone for the first half where Croatia has a part of Lion’s ownership and accumulates on pressure to find the opening.
Marcelo Brozovic also shaved the bar with long-term efforts, before he and Josip Juranovic forced the rescue of the Russian guard Matvey Safonov.
Safonov beat another Kramaric header with a reflex save right after the break, before denying Bruno Petkovic’s replacement on the hour sign.
The condition made it more difficult and more difficult for Croatia as the second round developed, with pitch becoming increasingly swamp under heavy rain.
The possibility of having everything but dries out when Borna Sosa sends a ball that is hopeful in the box at 82 minutes.
Even though under no pressure, Kudryashov struggled to control the ball when slipping on a wet ground, and witnessed helplessly when bouncing his knees and in the post.
While Croatia meets the requirements automatically because of Group H winners, Russia can still enter through the play-off.