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Croatia beat Colombia 2-1 in 2026 international friendly with goal from Igor Matanovic

Croatia defeated Colombia 2-1 in a 2026 international friendly, with Igor Matanovic scoring the decisive goal to complete the comeback. Check out here the highlights and goals.

Igor Matanovic of Croatia.
© Julio Aguilar /Getty ImagesIgor Matanovic of Croatia.

Croatia defeated Colombia 2-1 in a 2026 international friendly, with Igor Matanovic scoring the decisive goal. The match, held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, provided both sides with a crucial test as they prepare for the World Cup. Colombia started strongly, controlling possession and creating early chances, but Croatia struck back efficiently.

Colombia dominated the ball with 60% possession and several promising attacks, yet Croatia proved more clinical, converting two of their key opportunities. Luis Diaz and Luis Suarez had moments of brilliance for Colombia, while Dominik Livakovic made several important saves to keep the European side ahead.

In the closing stages, Colombia pushed hard for an equalizer, generating dangerous free kicks and crosses into the box. Despite their pressure and substitutions to add attacking options, Croatia held firm to secure the 2-1 victory. Both teams will take lessons from the encounter as they continue their World Cup preparations.

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Colombia lost to Croatia 1-2 in a 2026 international friendly, and you lived every moment of this exciting game here on Bolavip.

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90' - Full time (1-2)

The match ends in Orlando with Croatia defeating Colombia 2-1 in the 2026 international friendly, as both sides gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.

90+6' - Dangerous free kick for Colombia (1-2)

Colombia earn a dangerous free kick after Toni Jakic fouls Deiver Machado. Juanfer Quintero takes the set piece, but Croatia’s defense clears it. Colombia continue to press aggressively.

90' - Six minutes added (1-2)

The referee adds six minutes of stoppage time as Colombia push to find an equalizer against Croatia.

86' - Colombia push for an equalizer (1-

In the final minutes, Colombia press forward aggressively, searching for a goal to level the match against Croatia.

83' - Croatia make another substitution (1-2)

Croatia make a further change, with Nikola Moro coming off and Toni Fruk entering the match.

80' - Croatia make substitutions and play resumes (1-2)

Croatia make three changes, with Martin Erlic, Marco Pasalic, and Mario Pasalic coming off. Kristijan Jakic, Andrej Kramaric, and Luka Modric enter as the match resumes in Orlando.

77' - Hydration break (1-2)

The match is paused for a hydration break as players from Colombia and Croatia take a moment to recover in the final stages.

75' - Colombia try from distance (1-2)

Andres Gomez takes a long-range shot that goes wide, but Colombia earn a corner as a result of the attacking move.

72' - Colombia make late substitutions (1-2)

Colombia make several changes in the closing stages, with Daniel Munoz, Luis Suarez, Richard Rios, Jhon Arias, and Luis Diaz coming off. Santiago Arias, Jhon Cordoba, Gustavo Puerta, Juanfer Quintero, and Andres Gomez enter the match.

66' - Musa misses again (1-2)

Petar Musa gets on the end of a well-delivered cross and volleys toward goal, but once again the shot crashes off the crossbar, denying Croatia an equalizer.

64' - Colombia make substitutions (1-2)

Colombia make three changes while Camilo Vargas receives treatment. James Rodriguez, Johan Mojica, and Jefferson Lerma come off, with Jorge Carrascal, Deiver Machado, and Kevin Castaño entering the match.

61' - Croatia make substitutions (1-2)

Croatia make two more changes, with Nikola Vlasic and Petar Sucic coming off, while Luka Sucic and Martin Baturina enter the match.

60' - Croatia miss a big chance (1-2)

Petar Musa gets a superb through ball from Petar Sucic and unleashes a powerful shot, but it crashes off the crossbar, keeping Colombia in the lead.

55' - Yellow card for Nikola Vlasic (1-2)

Nikola Vlasic is booked after committing a foul on Davinson Sanchez as Colombia continue to push forward.

54' - Same pattern continues in second half (1-2)

The second half follows a similar pattern, with Colombia controlling possession and relying on moments of brilliance from Luis Diaz to create danger. Croatia continue to sit back, allowing Colombia the ball while waiting to recover and strike on the counterattack.

50' - Offside for Colombia (1-2)

Colombia see a promising move ruled out for offside after Jhon Arias threads a pass toward Daniel Munoz, but he is caught beyond the line. Colombia continue to press high early in the second half.

47' - Croatia make halftime changes (1-2)

Croatia make two substitutions at the start of the second half, with Ivan Perisic and Igor Matanovic coming off, while Josip Stanisic and Petar Musa come on.

45' - Second half is underway! (1-2)

The second half kicks off in Orlando as Colombia look to respond, while Croatia aim to protect their lead and stay dangerous on the counter.

Halftime stats

Colombia control possession with 60% compared to Croatia’s 40%, but Croatia have been more efficient in front of goal. Both sides record three shots on target, with Colombia scoring once while Croatia convert twice to complete the comeback.

Colombia commit just one foul, while Croatia register five, which leads to the only booking of the match so far.

45' - Halftime (1-2)

The first half comes to an end in Orlando with Croatia leading 2-1 after an action-packed opening 45 minutes.

45' - Four minutes added (1-2)

Four minutes of stoppage time are added at the end of the half as Croatia hold a narrow lead over Colombia.

42' - GOAAAAAL FOR CROATIA! (1-2)

Igor Matanovic rises in the box and powers home a header after a corner delivery from Marco Pasalic, giving Croatia the lead.

41' - Croatia threaten with back-to-back chances (1-1)

Ivan Perisic cuts inside from the left and fires on goal, but Camilo Vargas makes the save. Moments later, Mario Pasalic gets another look after a strong play from Petar Sucic, but Colombia manage to hold firm.

39' - Yellow card for Petar Sucic (1-1)

Petar Sucic becomes the first player booked after committing a tactical foul to stop a counterattack led by Luis Diaz.

34' - Livakovic makes a huge save (1-1)

Colombia put together a great attacking move that ends with Luis Diaz cutting inside in the box and firing a powerful shot, but Dominik Livakovic produces an outstanding save.

32' - Play resumes (1-1)

The match resumes in Orlando as Colombia and Croatia return to action following the hydration break.

31' - Hydration break (1-1)

The match is paused for a hydration break as players from Colombia and Croatia take a brief moment to recover.

29' - Colombia waste a massive chance! (1-1)

Luis Suarez misses a huge opportunity after a brilliant pass from James Rodriguez finds Luis Diaz, who squares it across goal, but Suarez fails to connect. The rebound falls to Daniel Munoz, whose tight-angle effort hits the post.

27' - Colombia create back-to-back chances (1-1)

Colombia generate a dangerous sequence as a cross from the right finds Luis Suarez, whose header is deflected. The ball falls to Luis Diaz, who sends another cross into the box, but Suarez cannot connect.

22' - Tempo slows after fast start (1-1)

After an explosive opening from Colombia, the intensity has clearly dropped as the match settles. Croatia are conceding possession, confident they can create danger through quick counterattacks.

19' - Croatia miss a chance (1-1)

Croatia waste a good opportunity after regaining possession, quickly moving forward as Nikola Vlasic delivers a cross to Igor Matanovic, whose header goes wide.

17' - Colombia control possession (1-1)

Colombia keep the ball moving from side to side without forcing the play, showing patience as they search for openings with James Rodriguez orchestrating the attack.

13' - Suarez misses a clear chance (1-1)

Luis Suarez wastes a big opportunity for Colombia after James Rodriguez finds him with a precise pass inside the box, but his shot goes wide.

12- Croatia win a corner (1-1)

Croatia earn a corner kick taken by Marco Pasalic, but the chance is wasted as Colombia clear the danger without trouble.

6' - GOAAAAL FOR CROATIAA! (1-1)

Croatia respond immediately with their first spell of possession after conceding, as Luka Vuskovic finds space and strikes from distance to level the match. The shot takes a slight deflection off Jhon Lucumi, which wrong-foots Camilo Vargas and makes it difficult to stop.

2' - GOAAAAAL FOR COLOMBIAAA! (1-0)

Colombia capitalize on their early possession as Jhon Lucumi delivers a cross that Luis Suarez slightly redirects, allowing Jhon Arias to finish with ease and open the scoring.

1' - First foul of the match (0-0)

Martin Erlic commits the first foul of the game with a challenge on Luis Suarez as Colombia look to build early possession.

0' - Game is underway! (0-0)

Colombia and Croatia kick off in Orlando as both sides begin their international friendly.

Teams take the field

Colombia and Croatia are making their way onto the pitch for the pre-match protocol, just minutes before kickoff in Orlando.

Tonight's referee

American referee Rubiel Vazquez leads the officiating crew for tonight’s international friendly between Colombia and Croatia in Orlando.

Croatia starting XI

Croatia have confirmed their starting XI: Dominik Livakovic; Nikola Moro, Nikola Vlasic, Petar Sucic, Marin Pongracic; Igor Matanovic, Luka Vuskovic, Mario Pasalic; Ivan Perisic, Marco Pasalic, Martin Erlic.

Colombia confirmed lineup

Colombia have confirmed their starting XI for tonight’s international friendly against Croatia in Orlando, as they continue their World Cup preparations with a strong lineup.

Camilo Vargas; Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios, Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez; Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez.

Head-to-head history begins

Colombia and Croatia are set to meet for the first time in their history, making this matchup in Orlando a landmark moment for both sides. The international friendly on March 26 will officially mark the debut of this clash.

Colombia enter with significant experience against European opposition, having faced European sides 67 times in their history. Colombia hold a balanced record in those matchups, with 23 wins, 23 losses, and 21 draws.

Croatia, on the other hand, have had limited but challenging encounters against South American opposition. In 14 matches against CONMEBOL sides, Croatia have struggled overall, recording eight losses, four draws, and just two wins, a trend they will aim to improve in this first-ever meeting against Colombia.

Today's venue

Camping World Stadium, located in Orlando, Florida, serves as the stage for today’s international friendly between Colombia and Croatia. The multi-purpose venue, situated in the West Lakes neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, first opened in 1936 and has undergone several transformations over the decades.

With a capacity of 60,219, the stadium has hosted major sporting events and continues to play a key role in the growth of soccer in the United States. It will also be one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup, which is why this matchup provides both Colombia and Croatia with valuable experience in a future tournament setting.

Start time and how to watch

Colombia vs Croatia will get underway at 7:30 PM ET (PT:4:30 PM)

Watch this 2026 international friendly match between Colombia and Croatia live in the USA on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, FS2 and ViX.

Colombia and Croatia clash in 2026 international friendly

Welcome to our live blog of the international friendly match!

Colombia face Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando this Thursday night, with both sides continuing their World Cup preparations. Colombia arrive in strong form, while Croatia look to maintain their impressive run against top-level opposition.

Stay with us for key information and minute-by-minute updates as Colombia and Croatia battle it out in Orlando!