It is time to take a look at the player ratings of the Nations League clash between Sweden and Croatia at Friends Arena.
Sweden finally registered three essential points after beating Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League battle on Saturday night. Both the teams required the win, but it was more important for the Swedes who were in last place without any points. Whereas, the Croats seemed lucky to have crucial players return to the starting XI, including goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and striker Bruno Petkovic.
Croatia fought hard to maintain possession in the first half, with constant aggression from Janne Andersson’s side. However, Dejan Kulusevski scored the opener after 36 long minutes of a tussle between the two countries. The Juventus striker swayed around Croatia’s defense to make a calm finish past Livakovic. In the first-half injury time, however, Marcus Danielsson stepped up to smash a header from Sebastian Larsson’s corner-kick for Sweden’s second goal.
The Swedes finally get going.
The second half favored Croatia’s way, as Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic took control of the center of the field. Although, the hosts were adamant to keep their opponents away from goal. It was clearly visible that Croatia was lacking connecting passes through to the attackers. There was hope after all for Croatia as a staggering ball into the Sweden box was put in by Danielsson as an own goal.
The Croatians were unable to find that extra touch to equalize against the resilient local boys. But, as of now, they stand third in the table after France and Portugal, whereas, Sweden is still at the bottom despite grabbing three points.
Player ratings
Sweden: Olsen (7), Lindelof (7), Danielsson (9), Lustig (7), Bengtsson (7), Olsson (6), Ekdal (4), Larsson (5), Forsberg (6), Berg (5), Kulusevski (9).
Bench: Claesson (6).
Croatia: Livakovic (5), Pongracic (5), Caleta-Car (6), Uremovic (6), Barisic (4), Modric (7), Kovacic (6), Brekalo (3), Vlasic (4), Perisic (3), Budimir (5).
Bench: Juranovic (7), Melnjak (6), Rog (6), Pasalic (6), Petkovic (6).
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