In a new chapter for the Czech national team, Santi Denia began his tenure with a narrow Nations League defeat as Croatia left with a 2-1 victory. The Spanish coach, the first foreign manager in Czech football history, saw Luka Modric and Mario Pasalic turn Croatia’s control into three points, despite Adam Karabec’s second-half response.
A new era starts with a demanding test
Denia arrived after Miroslav Koubek was dismissed following Czechia’s last-place finish in its World Cup group. Having previously worked across Spain’s youth international set-up, the 51-year-old now has the task of guiding a side entering unfamiliar territory under overseas leadership.
Croatia, meanwhile, were also under a newly appointed coach. Slaven Bilic returned to the national-team bench 14 years after his previous spell, and his side gradually imposed itself even before the score moved.
- Santi Denia became Czechia’s first non-domestic national-team manager.
- He succeeded Miroslav Koubek after the World Cup group-stage disappointment.
- Slaven Bilic marked his Croatia return, 14 years on from leaving the role.
- The result gave Croatia their first three points in this Nations League group.
Croatia’s patience pays off after the interval
The opening half offered few clean sights of goal, although Croatia carried more of the ball and kept working Czech goalkeeper Matous Hornicek’s area. Their clearest opportunities came close to the break.
Petar Sucic cut inside his opponent and found himself through on goal, only for Hornicek to make the stop. In the 45th minute, another flowing Croatian move began with Modric threading a pass forward, but Igor Matanovic sent his attempt wide.
The breakthrough arrived almost immediately after the restart. Czechia lost possession while attempting to play out from the back, and Modric punished the error. The 41-year-old waited for the defender to commit, used a body feint to open his shooting lane and struck for 0-1.
Karabec answers, but Pasalic settles the contest
Czechia reacted quickly, with Karabec making amends for his involvement in the mistake that led to Modric’s goal. In the 53rd minute, a lapse in Croatia’s defensive shape allowed him to beat Dominik Livakovic and bring the home side level.
Those were Czechia’s strongest moments. Radosta briefly appeared to have completed the turnaround, but his effort was ruled out for a very tight offside decision.
Croatia recovered their rhythm and found the winner in the 77th minute. Ivan Perisic supplied the cross and Pasalic headed it towards goal; the ball crossed the line, with goal-line technology confirming the decisive touch after a short moment of uncertainty.
- 46th minute: Modric scored after Czechia gave the ball away in their own build-up.
- 53rd minute: Karabec equalised against Livakovic.
- Later in the second half: Radosta’s goal was disallowed for offside.
- 77th minute: Pasalic headed in Perisic’s delivery for Croatia’s winner.
- In stoppage time: Hornicek denied substitute Ante Budimir a third Croatian goal.
Spain reunion awaits in Oviedo
Croatia now have their first win in a Nations League section also containing Spain, England and Czechia. For Denia, the next appointment brings a reunion with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
Czechia will meet Spain on Saturday, 3 October, at the Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo in the third round of the competition, where Denia will seek the first points of his new international assignment.
