World Cup Qualifiers Shake-Up: How Croatia and Czechia’s Final Showdowns Redefined Group L Destiny

In a stunning twist at Stadion Pod Goricom, Croatia defied early setbacks to snatch a thrilling 3-2 victory over Montenegro, wrapping up their World Cup qualifiers unbeaten. Despite having already punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after their dominant display against the Faroe Islands, the Vatreni found themselves rattled in the opening minutes. Montenegrin firepower struck fast and hard – Milutin Osmajic’s sharp finish capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse, followed by Nikola Krstovic doubling the intensity, threatened to derail Croatia’s perfect run. Yet, resilience is woven into this squad’s DNA. Ivan Perisic’s composed penalty got them back in the game, and late efforts from Kristijan Jakic and Nikola Vlasic—his booming strike in the dying minutes—sealed the comeback, securing seven wins in eight qualifiers. Meanwhile, in Group L’s other clash, Czechia made a statement with a commanding 6-0 thrashing of Gibraltar, a chorus of six scorers stamping their playoff ambitions with authority. It’s a fascinating snapshot of European qualifying drama – unexpected, relentless, and utterly captivating. LEARN MORE.

Croatia had to come from behind to salvage a 3-2 win over Montenegro in order to cap an unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign.

Zlatko Dalic’s side had already confirmed their place at next year’s World Cup with a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands on Friday, but they were stunned early on at Stadion Pod Goricom.

Milutin Osmajic stunned Croatia in the third minute with a close-range finish after Duje Caleta-Car’s mistake, before Nikola Krstovic doubled their lead 17 minutes in.

However, Ivan Perisic pulled a goal back from the penalty spot 20 minutes later, but they did not get their second until the 72nd minute, with Kristijan Jakic restoring parity.

Nikola Vlasic then secured the win three minutes from time with a thunderous strike to make it seven wins from eight in qualifying for Croatia.

What a finish: the comeback is complete! #Croatia closes the 2026 @FIFAWorldCup qualifying campaign with another victory, 3:2 at Montenegro – congratulations! #MNECRO#HrabarBroj | #WCQ | #PokažiSrce | #Family | #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/mQbNACrTQg

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 17, 2025

In the other Group L game, Czechia hammered Gibraltar 6-0, with six different goalscorers hitting the net.

They were 5-0 up by half-time, with David Doudera, Tomas Chory, Vladimir Coufal, Adam Karabec and Tomas Soucek putting the game out of sight.

Robin Hranac then rounded off the scoring six minutes into the second half, with Czechia now set for the World Cup play-offs after finishing six points behind Croatia.

Data Debrief: Croatia earn historic turnaround

Montenegro going 2-0 up inside 20 minutes was not expected on Monday, but in the end, Croatia overcame their early shock to get the job done.

They have won after trailing by two or more goals in World Cup qualifying for the first time since at least the start of 2010.

Czechia meanwhile were completely dominant in their clash, not allowing Gibraltar to have a single shot, while having 25 (worth 4.31 expected goals) themselves.