Match report

Croatia Defeats Montenegro 3-2 in World Cup Qualification

Montenegro
Montenegro
2–3
FT
Croatia
Croatia
Nov 17, 2025

Croatia staged a comeback to defeat Montenegro 3-2 in a thrilling World Cup Qualification match, overcoming an early two-goal deficit. Montenegro took the lead through goals from M. Osmajic and N. Krstovic, but Croatia rallied with goals from Ivan Perišić from the penalty spot, K. Jakic, and N. Vlasic.

Key Facts

  • • Montenegro: 2 goals (M. Osmajic, N. Krstovic)
  • • Croatia: 3 goals (Ivan Perišić, K. Jakic, N. Vlasic)
  • • Yellow cards: M. Osmajic (Montenegro), Stefan Lončar (Montenegro), Slobodan Rubežić (Montenegro)
  • • Key substitution: J. Gvardiol replaced J. Stanisic in the 46th minute
  • • Match ended with Croatia securing a vital three points

Lineups

Montenegro

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Starting XI

  • 13 I. Nikic (G)
  • 7 M. Vesovic (D)
  • 6 M. Tuci (D)
  • 5 S. Rubezic (D)
  • 23 A. Marusic (D)
  • 8 M. Jankovic (M)
  • 21 A. Bulatovic (M)
  • 19 S. Loncar (M)
  • 10 S. Jovetic (M)
  • 20 M. Osmajic (F)
  • 9 N. Krstovic (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 B. Popovic
  • 12 D. Petkovic
  • 2 S. Milic
  • 3 R. Radunovic
  • 4 M. Simun
  • 11 M. Vukotic
  • 14 M. Brnovic
  • 15 N. Sipcic
  • 16 M. Perovic
  • 17 V. Adzic
  • 18 A. Kostic
  • 22 V. Djukanovic

Croatia

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Livakovic (G)
  • 18 K. Jakic (D)
  • 6 J. Sutalo (D)
  • 5 D. Caleta-Car (D)
  • 4 J. Gvardiol (D)
  • 15 M. Pasalic (M)
  • 8 N. Moro (M)
  • 20 F. Ivanovic (M)
  • 13 N. Vlasic (M)
  • 14 I. Perisic (M)
  • 21 I. Matanovic (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 I. Pandur
  • 2 J. Stanisic
  • 3 M. Pongracic
  • 7 M. Pasalic
  • 9 A. Kramaric
  • 10 L. Modric
  • 11 P. Musa
  • 16 M. Orsic
  • 17 P. Sucic
  • 19 T. Fruk
  • 22 M. Erlic

Timeline

  1. Montenegro
    3' Montenegro Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Osmajic
  2. Montenegro
    17' Montenegro Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Krstovic · Assist: S. Jovetić
  3. Croatia
    29' Croatia Card · Yellow Card
    M. Pasalic

    Foul

  4. Montenegro
    30' Montenegro Card · Yellow Card
    Stefan Lončar

    Foul

  5. Croatia
    35' Croatia Var · Penalty confirmed
    K. Jakic
  6. Montenegro
    36' Montenegro Card · Yellow Card
    Slobodan Rubežić

    Foul

  7. Croatia
    37' Croatia Goal · Penalty
    Ivan Perišić
  8. Croatia
    46' Croatia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Gvardiol · On: J. Stanisic
  9. Croatia
    46' Croatia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Caleta-Car · On: Marin Pongračić
  10. Croatia
    55' Croatia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: F. Ivanovic · On: A. Kramaric
  11. Croatia
    59' Croatia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: I. Matanovic · On: P. Musa
  12. Montenegro
    62' Montenegro subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Jovetić · On: M. Vukotic
  13. Montenegro
    62' Montenegro subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Stefan Lončar · On: V. Adzic
  14. Montenegro
    70' Montenegro Card · Yellow Card
    M. Osmajic

    Argument

  15. Croatia
    72' Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Jakic
  16. Croatia
    73' Croatia Var · Goal confirmed
    K. Jakic
  17. Montenegro
    77' Montenegro subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Bulatovic · On: M. Brnović
  18. Croatia
    78' Croatia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Ivan Perišić · On: L. Modrić
  19. Croatia
    87' Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Vlasic

Match Stats

Stat Montenegro Croatia
Fouls 17 16
Pass Accuracy 78% 90%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 17
Corners 5 3
Total Passes 285 488
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 2 5
Shots on Target 5 7
xG 0.95 3.14
Shots off Target 6 5
Possession 37% 63%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 222 437
Shots Inside Box 5 14
Saves 4 3
Shots Outside Box 8 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Croatia's equalizer came in the form of a penalty scored by Ivan Perišić in the 37th minute, after a VAR review confirmed the foul
  • ▸ The turning point of the match was K. Jakic's goal in the 72nd minute, which sparked a surge of momentum for Croatia, leading to N. Vlasic's final goal in the 87th minute