In the penultimate match before its participation in the 2026 Football World Cup, the Colombia national football team was defeated by Croatia national football team 2-1 and lost the unbeaten streak it had achieved since Argentine Nestor Lorenzo took over as head coach of the Colombian team. The record now stands at 15 wins, 3 draws, and one loss, not counting the final preparation match against France.
Since his arrival, Lorenzo had consolidated an 88.8% performance in this type of matches, in which he managed to defeat world-class teams such as Spain, Romania, Mexico, and Australia. But against Croatia, whom they faced in Orlando (Florida, United States), he could not. The Balkan side prevailed with goals from Vuskovic (minute 6) and Matanovic (minute 42).
Colombia started winning, but ended up defeated
Colombia had started winning with an early goal from John Arias in the first two minutes of the match, in the opening play. After Croatia’s equalizer four minutes later, and over the first quarter hour of the match, the Colombians dominated. They had formed a horseshoe around Croatia, circulating the ball from one flank to the other.
After minute 16, the Croatians took control of the ball, although as the half-hour mark approached, Colombia once again pinned them back. In the 28th minute, a play occurred that made spectators hold their heads in disbelief. Luis Diaz received the ball from James Rodriguez and, with a single touch, passed it to Luis Suarez, who had a clear path to the Croatian goal. Alone in front of the net, Suarez failed to make contact with the ball, which passed indifferently in front of his feet.
The situation could not have been more paradoxical: the star of Sporting CP, acclaimed in the Champions League, missed. Suarez’s effectiveness is more than proven: he has 33 goals and seven assists since joining the Portuguese team, but in this friendly with the Colombia national team he made a mistake. It was one of those things that happen in football, everyone concluded deflated.
And, as often happens with the laws of football, 14 minutes later, Croatian Matanovic did convert and managed to beat Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas with a precise header. Croatia took a 2-1 lead and went into halftime that way. Matanovic did not return to the field for the second half.
Colombia made eight substitutions
The second half began with a new Colombian horseshoe that boxed in the Croatians. Gradually, the Balkan side reversed the situation to the point that they hit two shots off the posts of Colombia’s goal. The national team shook itself and made eight substitutions (the maximum agreed upon by the coaches of both teams). Croatia made six changes, the most notable being the entrance of the veteran and acclaimed Luka Modrić (40 years old).
Thus, the two squads, facing each other for the first time, pushed through the final minutes, including the six added by the referee. The flames of the match were reignited, but it was not enough to change the scoreline from the end of the first half. In the balance, beyond the goals, Colombia missed three scoring chances in the first half and Croatia three in the second half.
Colombia had not lost a friendly match since 2019, when it also fell 2-1 to South Korea. At that time, it was preparing for the Copa America of that same year. The defeat against Croatia brings the Colombians back down to earth, allows them to measure themselves (albeit with little preparation time) against France, and make final adjustments. The World Cup is approaching.