Croatia became the final team to secure their place at Euro 2024
Spread the love

Croatia became the final team to secure their place at Euro 2024 with victory over Armenia and send Wales into the play-offs.

The game seemed to be heading for a frustrating ending for Croatia, but Ante Budimir’s header secured the win.

As a result, they will continue to qualify for every major tournament since 2010 and every European Championship since 2004.

Their goal was to at least match Wales’ result against Turkey to qualify, but they quickly found themselves in the play-off positions when Rob Page’s side took an early lead.

However, Zlatko Dalic’s side dominated the opening 15 minutes of the match in Zagreb, having 75% possession and eight shots.

For his first qualifying goal, Budimir showed good movement to get in front of his marker at the near post and stoop down to head into the bottom corner.

Croatia became the final team to secure their place and continued their qualifying record of remaining unbeaten at half-time, despite having a second disallowed for a foul.

As a result of qualifying, Luka Modric, 38, will make his ninth appearance in a major tournament, fitness permitting. Last winter, he finished third at the Qatar World Cup after finishing runner-up at the 2018 World Cup.

The group stage draw will be held on 2 December, when Croatia will find out who they will play.