The "Brave Falcons" showcased their best performance at the end of the cycle, leading 2:0 and having several excellent chances for a third goal, but the guests managed to come back. Our team remained in fourth place in the group, with nine points earned.

Tonight's match opened with a chance for Croatia in the second minute, when Igor Matanović headed the ball over the goal. However, it was followed by a perfect reaction from the "Falcons." Milutin Osmajić fought for the ball and then sent it unavoidably behind Dominik Livaković.

Just couple of minutes later Stevan Jovetić had a chance, but this time Croatia's keeper was reliable.

All of this was an introduction to a new explosion in the stands, this time thanks to Nikola Krstović. The "falcons" forward shielded the ball well in the 17th minute and then, from an angle about twenty meters out, beat Livaković.

Montenegro had control of the game at that moment; Krstović almost scored with a header in the 30th minute, but the situation in the 34th minute brought Croatia back into the game. Slobodan Rubežić slid in, touched the ball, but also caught Kristijan Jakić. Referee Umut Meler initially signaled for a corner but awarded a penalty after VAR intervention. The reliable penalty taker was Ivan Perišić.

The "falcons" weren't too disturbed by that goal; the start of the second half brought secure play from them, with the guests unable to create a significant chance. However, our selection - Krstović hit the post, and Jovetić had a shot barely saved by Livaković from the edge of the box.

The punishment for the missed chances came in the 73rd minute when Kristijan Jakić was in the right place after Andrej Kramarić's shot. It was a period of slightly better play from Croatia, which the rival capitalized on to come back. Three minutes before the end of the regular time, Nikola Vlašić took advantage of Marko Perović's carelessness and brought victory to his team.

Milan Vukotić could have prevented Croatia's celebration, but his shot from a few meters was also saved by Livaković.

Montenegro - Croatia 2:3

City Stadium, Podgorica.
Attendance: 4,673.
Referee: Umut Meler (Turkey)

Goalscorers
1:0 - Milutin Osmajić 3', 2:0 - Nikola Krstović 17', 2:1 - Ivan Perišić (penalty) 37', 2:2 - Kristijan Jakić 73', 2:3 - Nikola Vlašić 87’

Bookings
Stefan Lončar, Slobodan Rubežić, Milutin Osmajić - Montenegro
Mario Pašalić - Croatia

Montenegro: Igor Nikić, Marko Vešović (from 78. Nikola Šipčić), Slobodan Rubežić (from 46. Marko Perović), Marko Tući, Adam Marušić, Andrija Bulatović (from 78. Miloš Brnović), Stefan Lončar (from 62. Vasilije Adžić), Marko Janković, Stevan Jovetić (from 62. Milan Vukotić), Milutin Osmajić, Nikola Krstović. 
Head Coach: Mirko Vučinić.

Croatia: Dominik Livaković, Kristijan Jakić, Josip Šutalo, Duje Ćaleta-Car (from 46. Marin Pongračić), Joško Gvardiol (from 46. Josip Stanišić), Nikola Moro, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Ivan Perišić (from 78. Luka Modrić), Franjo Ivanović (from 55. Andrej Kramarić), Igor Matanović (from 59. Petar Musa). 
Head Coach: Zlatko Dalić.