Croatia beats Montenegro to stay unbeaten in World Cup qualifying 

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Croatia recorded a convincing 4-0 victory over Montenegro in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on Monday night.

After Friday’s laboured win over the Faroe Islands, Zlatko Dalić’s men looked far sharper in front of 21,000 fans, producing a controlled and composed performance that keeps them firmly in pole position in Group L.

Modrić returns on eve of 40th birthday

Luka Modrić, who turns 40 tomorrow, returned to the starting line-up and was at the heart of Croatia’s play once again. Ivan Perišić and Josip Stanišić were also back, while Franjo Ivanović led the line.

Croatia dominated possession from the outset and Montenegro, who were reduced to 10-men in the first half, failed to register a single shot on target against Dominik Livaković.

Jakić breaks the deadlock

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute. Modrić slipped a neat ball into Kristijan Jakić, who drifted in from the right before bending a fine left-footed strike into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

It was the midfielder’s first goal for his country, and one to remember.

Kramarić doubles the lead

Croatia doubled their advantage early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Modrić delivered a corner that Stanišić flicked on, and Andrej Kramarić stretched to poke the ball home from close range.

It was the Hoffenheim striker’s sixth goal of the qualifying campaign.

From there, Croatia continued to press, peppering the Montenegro goal and they would extend the lead in 85th minute when Lovro Majer’s shot from the edge of box took a deflection and went in.

Perišić stabbed home to make it 4-0 in injury time to cap off a dominant display in what was the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

The win keeps Croatia at the top of Group L and in the driving seat to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.