After the opening defeat against Portugal (2-1) on Thursday, Zlatko Dalić's team hosted the Poles at Opus Arena and returned to winning ways, with the decisive moment occurring in the 52nd minute of the game.
In the first half, Croatia had more initiative and created several chances, but at the beginning of the second half, captain Luka Modrić, making his 180th appearance for Croatia and equaling Sergio Ramos on the world rankings, spectacularly struck the top corner with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area.
Igor Matanović then hit the post, and Bruno Petković also had a great chance, while on the other side, Robert Lewandowski hit the crossbar.
In the other second-round match, Portugal came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1. Croatia continues the competition in October with a home match against Scotland and an away game in Poland.
Nations League, Group A1:
- Portugal 6
- Croatia 3
- Poland 3
- Scotland 0
CROATIA - POLAND 1:0 (0:0)
UEFA Nations League, Group A1
Opus Arena, Osijek
Referee: F. Letexier (France)
Scorers: 1-0 - Modrić (52')
Yellow cards: Kovačić (2'), Pjaca (14'), P. Sučić (40'), Bednarek (44'), Budimir (90+1'), L. Sučić (90+4')
Croatia: Livaković, Gvardiol, Ćaleta-Car, Šutalo, Sosa (90+2' Perišić), P. Sučić (46' L. Sučić), Modrić, Kovačić (79' Pašalić), Pjaca, Petković (68' Kramarić), Matanović (68' Budimir).
Coach: Z. Dalić
Poland: Skorupski, Zalewski, Dawidowicz, Bednarek, Walukiewicz, Kaminski (82' Frankowski), Szymanski (86' Piotrowski), Zielinski (62' Slisz), Urbanski (62' Moder), Bogusz (62' Swiderski), Lewandowski.
Coach: M. Probierz
