Croatia head to WC on high after win over Slovenia

Croatia substitute Mario Pasalic grabbed a stoppage-time winner to edge neighbours Slovenia 2-1 in their friendly international on Sunday ​and head to the World Cup on a winning ‌note.

It was the final warm-up game for the Croats, who have reached at least the final four of the last two World Cups, before departing for ​the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. They ​will open their campaign against England in Dallas on 17 June.

Captain Luka Modric, playing possibly his last home international, fittingly ​scored to give Croatia an early second-half lead, but a horror back ​pass allowed Slovenia substitute Andraz Sporar to equalise in the 83rd minute.

Pasalic’s volleyed effort three minutes into stoppage time came as a relief for the Croatians, ​who will consider themselves fortunate to have won the game.

The 40-year-old ​Modric cleverly placed a shot from the edge of the area into the net ‌in ⁠the 51st minute after being set up by a square pass by Perisic. It was Modric's 29th goal in 198 appearances.

A defensive slip, however, from Martin Baturina gifted Sporar the chance to fire home ​from close range, ​which he did ⁠without hesitation.

But Slovenia failed to clear a bouncing ball in their area with time running out, and ​Pasalic snapped up the chance to volley into ​the net.

Croatia ⁠goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic had earlier made several key stops, notably from Zan Vipotnik.

Croatia had been beaten last Tuesday 2-0 by Belgium in Rijeka in ⁠the ​first of the two warm-up internationals arranged ​ahead of the World Cup, where Croatia also play against Ghana and Panama in ​Group L.