U-21 Euro: Croatia beats Switzerland
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Screenshot)
Croatia has won its second match at the 2021 Under-21 EURO in Koper, Slovenia on Sunday.
After losing their opening Group D match against Portugal 1-0 on Thursday, Igor Bišćan’s side bounced back with an important victory over Switzerland 3-2.
Switzerland, who beat group favourites England 1-0 in their opening match, fell behind in just the 8th minute.
A miss-hit clearance from Switzerland’s keeper Racioppi went straight to Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Luka Ivanušec who fired a half volley from outside the box past a flat-footed Racioppi to make it 1-0.
Switzerland would have chances but could not find a way past Kotarski in the Croatia goal.
In the second half Croatia would make them pay and captain Nikola Moro would double the lead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute.
Croatia would get a third three minutes later through Vizinger.
Switzerland would pull two late goals back but Croatia would hang on for the win.
Croatia will face England in their last group match on Wednesday (6 pm Croatia time).
Croatia is missing a number of key players in the tournament with injuries ruling out the likes of Joško Gvardiol, Borna Sosa and Luka Sučić.
If Croatia manage to advance out of their group the knockout stages will be played from 31 May to 6 June 2021.
Croatia U-21 has appeared at three European Championships previously, in 2000, 2004, and in 2019 in Italy and San Marino.
