Croatia booked their place at the 2026 World Cup with a comeback win over the Faroe Islands, whose slim hopes of qualification are over.
The minnows took the lead in Rijeka when Grimsby Town’s Geza David Turi drove forward and had a shot deflected in.
But Josko Gvardiol drilled a Croatia leveller seven minutes later into the bottom corner.
Petar Musa then put Croatia ahead from eight yards out in his first international since 2023.
And Nikola Vlasic made the win safe from Ivan Perisic’s cross.
Manchester City defender Gvardiol said: “Our goal was achieved with a game to spare in the qualifiers.
“We can proudly say we’ve qualified and we’re looking forward to it.
“We’ll travel to Montenegro for the final match in a relaxed manner, but with the intention of taking all three points, as every game is preparation for what awaits us in the summer.”
Faroe Islands boss Eydun Klakstein added: “I wish them all the best at the World Cup. They’re a small country just like us, and we always support nations like that at major tournaments.”
Croatia are now six points above second-placed the Czech Republic going into Monday’s final games.
The Czechs are guaranteed a play-off spot now, as the Faroe Islands – one point behind them – have finished their matches.
Even if the Faroes had beaten Croatia, they would have been relying on the Czechs not to beat Gibraltar at home.
