Luka Modric inspires Croatia into Nations League final after 6-goal thriller against the Netherlands

A late Noah Lang goal helped the Netherlands force extra-time, but Croatia were the better team on the night, and the distinction showed in extra-time as they scored twice to win 4-2.  

Croatia head into the final and will face Spain or Italy for a chance at their first major silverware after a run of near misses.

The Croats started in control, but Ronald Koeman's men soon played their way into the game and started to find spaces in the Vatreni backline. 

Donyen Malen put the Dutch in front in the 34th minute of the game, finishing off a team move, a reward for their dominance at the time. 

They went into half-time ahead, but Zlatko Dalic's men did not let their lead last long after the break. 

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo fouled Luka Modric in the box, and Andrej Kramaric made no mistake, firing in the equaliser past Justin Bijlow.

Mario Pasalic gave Croatia the lead in the 72nd minute of the game, redirecting a cross by Luka Ivanusec towards the goal. 

Staring down the barrel, with time running out, Koeman’s side started a flurry of attacks. Their efforts were rewarded in the 96th minute of the game when Noa Lang smashed the ball past Livakovic when the ball fell into his path from a corner kick. 

It felt like the Oranje gave all it took to find the equaliser, and had nothing left in the tank to play the extra 30 minutes. 

The extra-time was all Croatia. Substitute Bruno Petkovic scored a stunner to restore the Checkered Ones lead in the 98th minute of the game.  

Tyrell Malacia came on in the 106th minute, replacing the knackered Nathan Ake, and his biggest input was committing a penalty, which Modric dispatched to double Croatia's lead.  

They scored once more later on, but the goal was ruled out for offside, but it did not matter, as their margin was enough to win and book a final spot.