Dutch Disappointment: Croatia Defeats Netherlands in Nations League Semi-Final

2023-06-14 21:29:39

The Netherlands missed out on the final of the Nations League final tournament in front of their own audience. In the first semi-final on Wednesday in Rotterdam, Croatia won 4-2 following extra time. Noa Lang had kept the Dutchman’s chance alive with his goal to make it 2-2 in the sixth minute of stoppage time. In extra time, Dinamo Zagreb pro Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric became the heroes.

Oranje’s plan to reach the final of the Nations League for the second time following 2019 has failed. Croatia now meets either Spain or European champions Italy, the two contest the second semi-final on Thursday (8.45 p.m.) in Enschede.

Donyell Malen put the Dutchmen ahead as planned in the 34th minute following Mats Wieffer played the ball. After the break, Andre Kramaric (55′) made it 1-1 with a penalty following a foul on Modric, Mario Pasalic scored another goal 17 minutes later.

Shortly before the scheduled final whistle, Lang, who came on as a substitute in the 85th minute, scored from a confusing situation in the penalty area to make it 2-2. But then it was the Croatians’ turn once more when Petkovic (98′) – who only came on as a substitute at the beginning of extra time – hammered the ball into the net from a distance following Modric passed it on. Modric himself made the final score with a penalty in the 116th minute.

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