Tactical Analysis: Croatia vs. Czech Republic

Heading into this crucial game at Hampden Park, Croatia had never lost their second game at any of their last 10 major tournaments, the World Cup and European Championships. In those 10 games, they've won six, drawn four and Czech Republic were gonna be number 11.

The Czechs had the upper hand in the first half but weren't creating any clear-cut chances until the 33rd minute when Dejan Lovren confused the 18-yard box for an octagon and hit Patrik Schick's face with a flying elbow that would have made Stipe Miocic proud. A VAR review ensued and center referee, Carlos del Cerro was required to have a look for himself before eventually awarding Czech Republic the spot-kick which was coolly converted by the red-hot Schick.

Zlatko Dalić looked elegant and stylish as always on the sidelines but his Croatian team struggled to mirror his look with their style of play. Few players like Mateo Kovačić, Luka Modrić and Joško Gvardiol showed flashes of individual brilliance in the first half but it was a disjointed team performance. 

Two halftime substitutions followed, including the removal of the disappointing Ante Rebić and Croatia equalised seconds later. Ivan Perišić fired a rocket of a shot into the corner of the net after he had made Vladimír Coufal look like he was appearing in "Dancing with the Stars". Both teams continued to press for that all-important third goal which never came and in the end they had to share the spoils which suited the Czechs more than the Croats.