Croatia Seals World Cup Spot as Faroe Islands' Qualifying Hopes End in 3-1 Defeat
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In a decisive match, Croatia secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup by defeating the Faroe Islands 3-1 on Friday. The Croatian national team, led by their quick recovery from a 16th-minute deficit, dominated the match. Geza David Turi opened the scoring for the Faroe Islands with a deflected shot, but Croatia responded with two goals before halftime. Petar Musa, making his return to the national team, equalized in the 23rd minute, and Nikola Vlašić sealed the win with a precise volley in the second half. The win marked a bittersweet end to the Faroe Islands' qualifying campaign, as they finished behind the Czech Republic in Group L. Meanwhile, Malta pulled off a stunning upset in Group G by defeating Finland 1-0, securing their first win in World Cup qualifying. Midfielder Jake Grech scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, marking only the fourth win in World Cup qualifying history for the Maltese national team. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the second-placed team in each group advancing to the playoffs. As the qualifying process continues, Croatia and Malta have set themselves up for a strong push towards the tournament.
