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Croatia took an automatic position in next year’s World Cup semi-finals dramatically as a late car goal by Fedor Kudryashov beat Russia 1-0 in Sunday’s Group D play-offs.
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, jumped over Russia with 23 points from 10 matches in first place in the standings, one more than second-placed Russia, which will enter the March playoffs.
Croatia dominated in a match played in a downpour, but a good stop from Matvei Safonov’s good visit and a field filled with water kept Kudryashov’s awkward touches in the 80th minute before delighting home fans.
They needed a draw to qualify, the Russians defended that they were all behind the ball and took intense pressure when the Croatians besieged their goal, but did not create a clear chance.
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Andrej Kramaric headed straight into Safonov in the ninth minute, before Marcelo Brozovic released two long-range efforts, one inch wide and the other pulling out a goalkeeper stunt.
Safonov headed in a close-range Mario Pasalice header in the 47th minute with a superb stop and the Russians appeared at home and dry before Kudryashov’s mistakes were dismantled.
As the Croatian attacks were losing strength in a difficult field, left-back Borna Sosa floated from the left in a hopeful cross and Kudryashov put the ball into his net after an awkward bounce in front of him.
Russia lost their only chance to save the game in stoppage time by shooting Vyacheslav Karavaev from 18 meters above the bar.
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