The Podgorica City Stadium was a cauldron of intense Balkan rivalry, staging an emotionally charged qualifier that pitted the tenacious, rugged defense of Montenegro against the polished, generational talent of Croatia. While Croatia entered the fixture as the clear favorites—boasting a midfield renowned globally—they found themselves locked in a brutal struggle against their resolute neighbors, a contest ultimately settled in the dying minutes by a decisive act of brilliance. The final 1-0 scoreline in favor of the visitors barely registers the sheer difficulty and tension of the match.
Zlatko Dalić’s Croatian side, operating from their customary 4-3-3 formation, was built around the trio of Luka Modrić, Marcelo Brozović, and Mateo Kovačić. Their tactical mandate was to dominate possession, dictate tempo, and patiently dismantle the rigid Montenegrin defense through intricate passing triangles and relentless ball movement. The Montenegrins, however, were prepared for the siege. Under the guidance of their coach, they deployed a highly disciplined, deep 5-3-2 low block, designed to minimize space centrally and force Croatia’s attacks wide into predictable crossing positions.
The first half was a testament to the effectiveness of Montenegro’s game plan. The central defensive trio, anchored by the imposing Stefan Savić, formed an almost impenetrable barrier. Modrić, usually the key to unlocking defenses, was perpetually crowded, his passing lanes screened meticulously by the tireless running of the Montenegrin midfield. Croatia enjoyed close to 70% possession but struggled to register a single clear-cut chance. Their attempts were often reduced to speculative long-range shots or hopeful crosses easily dealt with by the commanding Montenegrin goalkeeper, Milan Mijatović.
Montenegro's threat lay exclusively in the transition. The pairing of Stevan Jovetić and Stefan Mugoša upfront were left isolated for long stretches but possessed the pace and intelligence to exploit any Croatian complacency. Jovetić, in particular, demonstrated flashes of his undeniable quality, executing a superb turn near the halfway line in the 25th minute that led to a swift four-on-four counter-attack, forcing Croatian defender Joško Gvardiol into a vital, last-ditch tackle. The crowd, a mix of fervent local support and noisy Croatian travelers, appreciated the high-stakes drama unfolding.
The second half saw Croatia introduce fresh attacking impetus, pushing their full-backs higher and replacing a defensive midfielder with the dynamic attacking threat of Lovro Majer. The pressure intensified, turning the match into a relentless cycle of Polish probing and Montenegrin repelling. The clock seemed to move excruciatingly slow for the Montenegrin fans as wave after wave of Croatian attack crashed against their defensive wall.
The decisive and heartbreaking moment for the hosts arrived in the 86th minute. After seventy minutes of frustration, the Croatian midfield finally found the space they desperately needed. Modrić, demonstrating the enduring brilliance of a true footballing legend, received the ball outside the box, took two precise touches to shift away from a sliding challenge, and then threaded a surgical, no-look pass between two static defenders. The ball landed perfectly at the feet of Andrej Kramarić, who had ghosted into the six-yard box. Kramarić, with the composure of a seasoned finisher, slotted the ball past Mijatović from point-blank range.
The goal was a cruel blow, a victory snatched not through overwhelming dominance, but through a fleeting moment of world-class vision and execution. Montenegro, having successfully defied the odds for so long, had their heart broken by the smallest of margins. They attempted a late, desperate rally, but the organized Croatians were too experienced to surrender their lead.
The final whistle confirmed the 1-0 result. For Croatia, it was a vital, hard-fought victory—a quintessential display of grinding out three points when the system fails to fire. For Montenegro, there was immense pride in a performance that showcased their iron discipline and defensive solidarity. They left the pitch defeated, but with the knowledge that they had pushed one of Europe’s finest teams to the absolute limit.
