Croatia 5-1 Czechia, FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers: Luka Modric Scores In Thumping Win

Croatia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers on Tuesday (June 10, 2025), with 39-year-old Luka Modric among their scorers, and trimmed the gap to their opponents to three points in Group L. Croatia have played only two games — winning both — whereas the Czechs have played four and won three of them. Andrej Kramaric netted a brace and Ante Budimir, with Ivan Perisic were the other goal-scorers for the hosts, who found the back of the net four times in 13 minutes in the second half.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 10 June 2025 12:24 pm

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Ante Budimir

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Ante Budimir scores his side's fifth goal during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

2/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Ivan Perisic

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Ivan Perisic, center, celebrates with Croatia's Andrej Kramaric, left, after scoring his side's third goal during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

3/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Luka Modric

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Luka Modric, front, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

4/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Luka Modric, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

5/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Zlatko Dalic

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's coach Zlatko Dalic reacts during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

6/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Tomas Soucek

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Czech Republic's Tomas Soucek celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

7/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Andrej Kramaric

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Andrej Kramaric, center, scores the opening goal during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

8/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Ivan Perisic, left, tries to block a shot from Czech Republic's Tomas Holes during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

9/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Luka Modric, left, takes a free kick during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.

10/10

FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifiers group L soccer match Croatia vs Czechia: Jaroslav Zeleny

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Croatia vs Czechia | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Luka Modric, right, duels for the ball with Czech Republic's Jaroslav Zeleny during a World Cup 2026 group L qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Czech Republic at the Opus Arena in Osijek, Croatia.