September 09, (THEWILL) – Croatia midfielder, Luka Modric, scored a decisive goal in the 52nd minute, leading his team to a 1-0 victory against Poland in their Nations League A Group 1 match on Sunday. The win came just days before Modric’s 39th birthday, a demonstration of the veteran player’s enduring skill on the pitch.
The home team dominated the game from the start, seeking to bounce back from their 2-1 loss to Portugal in the previous Nations League fixture. Despite early opportunities for Duje Caleta-Car and Modric, the first half ended without a goal. The breakthrough came shortly after half-time when Modric expertly executed a free kick from the edge of the box, sending the ball just under the crossbar.
Poland struggled to create chances throughout the match, managing only two attempts on goal. Their best opportunity came in the second half when Robert Lewandowski hit the crossbar. Croatia also saw a near-miss from striker Igor Matanovic, who likewise struck the woodwork.
The result places Croatia second in their group with three points, while Poland sits in third place with the same tally. Portugal leads the group with six points after their 2-1 comeback victory over Scotland in a separate match.
This win marks an important step for Croatia in the 2024 Nations League campaign, with Modric’s performance highlighting his continued importance to the national team despite his advancing years.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
