Croatia V Scotland (Hampden Park 22/06/2021)

Croatia V Scotland – UEFA Euro 2020 Group D (22/06/2021)

Finished work at four, so had to make a mad dash for my train into the city and then down to Glasgow Central for the train to Mount Florida. Had a spare 5 minutes at Central so picked up four tins of BrewDog Punk AF, had a pair on the train and the others while waiting for my entry window of half five.

Bit more of a buzz pre match outside the stadium than there was on Friday, might have been helped that both teams needed a win to have any chance of progressing. To be fair to the Scotland fans they were making plenty of noise even though Hampden was only at 25% capacity.

There was a similar number of Croatia fans as there were for the game against the Czech Republic and they managed to create some atmosphere. Was a shame to hear some Scotland fans booing the Croatian national anthem, don’t recall that being a rivalry at all but still you don’t boo national anthems.

Scotland started the game at a fast pace and looked like they were up for it, but after 10 minutes it was all Croatia and Nikola Vlašić made the most of the dominance to break the deadlock after a Perišić knockdown he neatly put the ball past Marshall. As I was the only Croatia fan sat where I was, it’s safe to say I got some pretty evil looks when I leaped to celebrate the goal.

Croatia seemed to have found their groove and looked in control with some Scottish fans even booing their side, that was until a shot was only half cleared by the Croatian defence and fell to McGregor smashed the ball into the bottom corner which had the Scotland fans in rapture. The goal just before half-time meant we went in to the break at 1-1.

With no concessions stands open inside the stadium I had to make do with a packet of crisps and some sour patch kids for a late tea at half time. Could have murdered for a chicken balti pie and a Fanta.

The second half began and it was all Croatia as Scotland struggled to get a grasp on the game and there was a feeling of nervousness in the crowd from the Scotland fans. They had every right to feel nervous as Luka Modric scored an absolute peach with the outside of his boot from the edge of the box into the top corner. WHAT A GOAL!!! I thought I was going to get lynched for my stupidly loud and high pitched “YESSSSSSSSSSS” when the ball went in.

Then after a succession of corners Croatia put the nail in Scotland’s Euro 2020 coffin, as Perišić rose above the defender and headed onto the far post and into the goal to make it 3-1 and putting Croatia up to second in the group and into the round of 16.

I left the stadium very happy after seeing a Croatia win and even had a few Scotland supporters shake my hand as I left. There seemed to be a lot of people heading toward the train station so I opted to use the shuttle bus which got me back to Glasgow city centre in 15 minutes.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – €50

Programme – £10

Programme Rating – 10/10

Refreshments – N/A

Stadium Facilities – 8/10

Getting to stadium – 8/10

Stadium rating – 8/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on Croatia against Scotland.

Daz Carding