Hamburg's Luka Vušković and Freiburg's Igor Matanović score as Croatia warm up for FIFA World Cup with win over Colombia in USA
The Bundesliga's Croatian contingent got the better of Luis Díaz and Colombia in Orlando, with Hamburg's Luka Vušković becoming the second-youngest scorer in his national team's history and Freiburg's Igor Matanović also on the scoresheet.
The Bundesliga's Croatian contingent got the better of Luis Díaz and Colombia in Orlando, with Hamburg's Luka Vušković becoming the second-youngest scorer in his national team's history and Freiburg's Igor Matanović also on the scoresheet.
Vušković is truly having a season to remember. Not only is he playing a crucial part in Hamburg's bid for survival, he scored his first senior international goal for Croatia on Thursday in their friendly against Colombia.
His 25-yard drive in the sixth minute brought the score level at 1-1, cancelling out an early opener from Jhon Arias had sent Colombia ahead.
Having just turned 19 last month, Vušković's goal saw him become the second-youngest goalscorer for Croatia ever, after Luka Ivanušec.
Watch: Best of Vušković
“It was really down to luck," Vušković said after the final whistle. "I tried to shoot with my left foot from distance. The ball went in and helped the team to victory, and that’s the most important thing.
"It’s a great feeling to score for the national team. I enjoy playing alongside such players and training with them every day.”
Croatia went on to win the game 2-1 thanks to Freiburg forward Matanović's effort shortly before the break.
Bayern Munich's Josip Stanišić, Augsburg's Kristijan Jakić and Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramarić came off the bench for Croatia while Wolfsburg's Lovro Majer was an unused substitute.
Luis Díaz played the first 71 minutes for Colombia.
Croatia have further friendlies planned against Brazil on Tuesday plus Belgium and Slovenia (in June), before they open their World Cup campaign against an England side featuring Díaz's Bayern team-mate Harry Kane in Arlington, Texas on 17 June.
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