In Wales, they remember the Eurocup 2016 with nostalgia. On that date, at the hands of a superb Gareth Bale, he reached the semifinals. Portugal, later winner, shattered her dream. Three years after that unexpected success, the team led by Real Madrid's end walks the tightrope in the qualifying phase for the next Eurocopa , in 2020, despite the draw torn against Croatia thanks to Bale's own goal in the twilight of the first half (1-1). Luka Modric scared the discount: he withdrew with obvious gestures of knee pain.

The two captains, the two of Madrid, also partners in the past at Tottenham, Bale and Modric, embraced in the previous one, in a still deserted Cardiff City Stadium . Then, with a boiling environment, the Wales player appeared brave. He offered himself constantly on the right, his preferred side, with a changed leg. And in his first intervention he tested the strength of Livakovic's gloves.

But it was in the other goal where it was held first. Brekalo rode lightly, Petkovic yielded on the front for Vlasic , and he opened the scoring with a shipment that stroked the post. Croatia found the goal that qualified him for the European Championship in an isolated action. From there, folded in his own field, he gave the domain to a Wales that soon smelled blood and found the reward in the discount of the first act.

Of course, it had to be Bale. All the game of the picture directed by Ryan Giggs goes through the boots of the 11, top historical scorer of his selection (33 goals). Transformed when dressed in the shirt of the 'Dragons', far from the shyness shown in Real Madrid, he corrects his teammates with constant indications. He matched the match with a devilish shot when the game skipped the break.

Croatia did not recover with the departure of Rakitic , sentenced to the bench also in his selection. The midfielder appeared in the match after the mishap of Kovacic, who retired injured. Another encounter, Daniel James, froze the stands. The young man of Manchester United fell grogui to the grass, although after the attention of the doctors he rejoined the game as if nothing had happened.

Croatia, in its 300th match since becoming independent from the missing Yugoslavia, an unbeatable day to confirm its trip to the European Championship next summer, the absent duel ended. All eyes were fixed on Modric, who on the edge of the discount had to retire injured after a very strong clash with Wilson . The midfielder called for the change, alarmed, with severe pain in the knee. A gesture that surely worried Zidane.

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  • Croatia
  • Gareth Bale
  • Luka modric
  • Real Madrid
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  • First division
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