Croatia overcomes Colombia in warm-up match to extend unbeaten streak to nine

The match sprang to life within the opening three minutes following a fluid Colombian attack along the left wing. Johan Mojica sent in a cross that Luis Suarez redirected towards Jhon Arias. He finished well past Dominik Livakovic despite the best efforts of Ivan Perisic.

This sparked joy among most of the crowd at Camping World Stadium, though Zlatko Dalics side restored parity merely three minutes afterwards. Luka Vuskovic was allowed too much room to stride forward and his shot from range nestled in the net via the inside of the post.

Once the initial frenzy subsided, play calmed a touch until the 30 minute point, when Luis Diaz served up an ideal opportunity for Suarez. Yet, differing sharply from his precise displays at Sporting CP, the forward entirely mishandled the ball with an unguarded goal mere six yards away. Spared by this blunder, Croatia mounted pressure and claimed the advantage right before the interval.

Performing in his familiar venue, Orlando Citys Marco Pasalic compelled Camilo Vargas to divert his attempt beyond the upright, then whipped in the subsequent corner which the Colombian custodian fumbled, allowing Igor Matanovic to nod home at the back post.

The second period stayed subdued until the 60 minute mark for the initial notable threat, a thunderous effort from interval replacement Petar Musa that ricocheted off the crossbar.

The FC Dallas forward rued his misfortune anew just five minutes on, as the goal structure thwarted yet another brilliant attempt when his finely executed volley cannoned against the post.

On the opposite side, Jhon Cordoba fashioned a pair of opportunities himself, slicing wide from an acute position before watching Livakovic clutch his header from a set piece. In the finish, however, Croatia clung to a spirit lifting triumph as both nations heighten their readiness for the impending World Cup, presently fewer than three months distant.