National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Colombia's Don Gato started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Croatia's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by John Terry in the 4th minute. 8 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Don Gato came free, but Emil Cvitanović reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Colombia's Don Gato in the 16th minute got a chance for a shot 16th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Croatia's goalie prevented a goal. Croatia's Emil Cvitanović played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Don Gato in the 20th minute of play. Colombia's Rene Higuita proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 25th minute of the match, managed to save Colombia from getting a goal against them. Rene Higuita made a fantastic save in the 29th minute, when Nikola Vlašić sent off a good shot on target. The crowd rose to their feet as Nikola Vlašić kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Rene Higuita. That made the score 1-0 in the 29 minute of play. In the 32nd minute Don Gato shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Emil Cvitanović saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The audience thought a goal was coming when Nikola Vlašić got free with Rene Higuita in the 33rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The supporters of Colombia booed when Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 37 match minutes in a wonderful position. Vedran Ćesić didn't get a good kick on the ball. The supporters of Colombia booed when Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. John Terry didn't get a good kick on the ball. Archibaldo Velaz's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Emil Cvitanović read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 39th minute of play. Rene Higuita showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luka Mata in the 41st minute of the match. Rene Higuita made a fantastic save in the 43rd minute, when Nikola Vlašić sent off a good shot on target. In the 46th match minute, Colombia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Firmo Linde to maneuver through the defense. In the 49th minute of the match Croatia got a corner. Colombia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. John Terry ran over to the corner to take the kick. John Terry made a great header on Croatia's corner, it was just that Colombia's Rene Higuita managed to reach the ball for a save. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Joško Poklepović stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 54th minute, Colombia's Don Gato ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Emil Cvitanović. Emil Cvitanović yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-1. In the 60th minute Joško Poklepović shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rene Higuita saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Don Gato sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Willie Colon received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 73rd minute. Emil Cvitanović tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 79 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Willie Colon came free, but Emil Cvitanović reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Emil Cvitanović took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Willie Colon, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Colombia's Willie Colon got a good chance for a goal in the 82nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Luka Mata's late challenge caught a Colombia's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Luka Mata helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Colombia booed when Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Luka Mata didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 87th minute the ball was on its way in behind Croatia's goalkeeper Emil Cvitanović, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Rene Higuita showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joško Poklepović in the 96th minute of the match. Christiano Ronaldo could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 97th minute of the match, but Emil Cvitanović made a huge save. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.