Substitute Bruno Petkovic scored and gained a penalty in extra-time as Croatia secured a primary Nations League final look with a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in Rotterdam.
The Dinamo Zagreb striker was launched firstly of the extra interval – simply seconds after the Dutch had snatched an equaliser within the sixth minute of added time – and delivered a game-changing efficiency.
Petkovic’s driving run and shot from 25 yards put Croatia in entrance once more earlier than the 28-year-old, who scored an extra-time equaliser within the World Cup quarter-final towards Brazil, gained a penalty for Luka Modric to make it 4-2.
He additionally had a second purpose dominated out for offside by VAR seconds earlier than the final whistle.
Croatia, who reached the 2018 World Cup final and completed third final yr in Qatar, are one win away from their first main trophy, with Spain or Italy standing in the way in which in Sunday’s final.
They needed to do it the exhausting approach as they recovered from Borussia Dortmund midfielder Donyell Malen’s first-half opener by scoring with their first two photographs on course after the break.
Mario Pasalic’s 72nd-minute purpose capped a turnaround began 17 minutes earlier by Andrej Kramaric’s penalty.
But simply when it seemed like they may have a good time a spot within the final, Noa Lang pounced to power extra-time.
Eight minutes into the extra interval Petkovic made his introduction depend with the purpose which put his aspect forward once more.
Netherlands’ desperation noticed them ship Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk up entrance however their hopes had been ended when Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia pulled down Petkovic and Modric despatched goalkeeper Justin Bijlow the improper approach from the penalty spot.
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