Celtic full-back Josip Juranovic helped his country gain an automatic place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar, after Croatia beat Russia 1-0 in Split to seal their place at the highest level in International football in the winter of 2022. This will be Croatia’s next chance at winning a World Cup after getting to the 2018 Final, eventually falling to eventual winners France.
Josip has become somewhat of a regular in the Croatian national side of late, carrying on from his appearances at Euro 2020 when he helped dump Scotland out of the tournament at Hampden. The defender is highly rated in Croatia and doesn’t look out of place in the company of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and players of that ilk.
Croatia defeated Russia on Sunday night to pip them to first place at the summit of Group H, with one point splitting the sides in the end. Croatia dominated the game, having 68% possession to Russia’s 32%. Juranovic and his countrymen also had 19 shots at goal dwarfing the Russian’s meagre 2. In the end, it was a Fedor Kudryashov own goal right at the death that ensures Josip and his compatriots will enjoy another major tournament in the winter of 2022 in Qatar.
With Scotland also earning a seeded play-off place after last night’s scalping of Denmark, the Celtic camp will be buzzing when the players meet up next for training under Ange Postecoglou. On a side note Josip has come in and fitted seamlessly into this Celtic side – even with being played out of his natural position at right-back. It is a tribute to his character and ability that the transition has been so effortless on his part.
Well done to Josip and his teammates!
Paul Gillespie
✅ 2018 @FIFAWorldCup
✅ #EURO2020
✅ 2022 @FIFAWorldCup🔝 @DalicZlatko becomes first #Croatia head coach who reached three major competitions!#BeProud #WCQ #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/hPl4M69tpQ
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 14, 2021
🇭🇷🇷🇺
⏹️ It's over! #Croatia prevails! 💪#BeProud | #CRORUS | #WCQ | #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/lQEOithS0j
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 14, 2021
📸 That feeling when you reach 1⃣2⃣th major tournament in 1⃣4⃣ qualifying rounds since independence. 🇭🇷💪#BeProud #Croatia #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/Umr5TM7Y4L
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 14, 2021
