Luka Modrić Leads Croatia to Victory Over Slovenia in Friendly

Croatia’s World Cup preparations found their rhythm in Varaždin, and of course, Luka Modrić was at the heart of it.

On a cool night at the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec, Croatia beat Slovenia 2-1 in a friendly that felt far more intense than the label suggests. This was a dress rehearsal for England on 17 June, and the home side treated it exactly that way.

Modrić set the tone. Drifting into that familiar pocket on the edge of the box, he collected the ball and, with the kind of calm that has defined his career, swept a precise strike beyond the goalkeeper to open the scoring. One touch to set, one to decide. Croatia in front, their captain already dictating the tempo.

The game then slipped into that nervy territory managers hate. Chances came and went, legs tired, and the rhythm broke. Slovenia stayed in it, refused to fade, and as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, the warning signs grew louder.

They finally broke through in the 83rd minute. Andraž Šporar pounced to level the match, punishing a lapse in Croatian concentration and briefly silencing the home crowd. For a moment, it looked like Croatia’s smooth build-up to the tournament might be jolted by a late setback.

The response was ruthless.

Deep into stoppage time, with the match drifting towards a draw, Mario Pašalić arrived with the kind of timing every coach dreams of. In the 93rd minute, he struck the winner, restoring Croatia’s lead and their mood in one swing. A friendly on paper, but a statement in practice: this team can still find a way when the clock is against them.

Ecuador cruise past Guatemala as Estupiñan shines

In another corner of the World Cup build-up, Ecuador delivered a far more straightforward evening.

They swept aside Guatemala 3-0 in a convincing display that did exactly what a warm-up game should: built confidence, sharpened combinations, and showcased key players. Pervis Estupiñan stood out from start to finish, driving forward from deep, stretching the game, and constantly asking questions of the Guatemalan defence.

His performance deserved a goal. He produced something even better.

Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, Estupiñan took a bold look up and lifted the ball from long range with perfect weight and audacity, dropping it over the stranded keeper for Ecuador’s third. It was the sort of strike that changes the feel of a camp — a reminder of individual quality just days before the serious business begins.

With their World Cup opener against Ivory Coast on 15 June looming, Ecuador walk away from this with momentum, clarity, and a left-back in sparkling form.

Bartesaghi steady as Italy edge Greece

For Italy, the night was less about fireworks and more about structure.

Davide Bartesaghi started again and went the distance in an 'experimental' side under coach Baldini, as Italy edged Greece 1-0. It was the kind of controlled, measured outing that managers quietly appreciate. No chaos, no drama, just 90 minutes of work and another clean sheet to close out their latest friendly run.

Italy had already squeezed past Luxembourg by a single goal; this win followed the same pattern. Tight margins, disciplined shape, and a chance for players like Bartesaghi to show they can be trusted over a full match.

No headlines stolen, no grand declarations. Just a useful night’s work as the clock winds down and the real tests wait just around the corner.