Modric and Pasalic find the net as Croatia secure late victory over Slovenia in friendly

The Kockasti have rightly built a reputation as World Cup surprise packages after reaching the final in 2018 and the semi finals in 2022, but concerns about an older squad meant Zlatko Dalic's team had much to demonstrate before travelling to North America.

It was apt then that two experienced players created Croatia's first opportunity, with Ante Budimir heading wide from Ivan Perisic's cross early on.

Slovenia looked to cause an upset when Dominik Livakovic made a fine save to his right to deny Sandi Lovric. Perisic then saw his acrobatic effort saved by Jan Oblak, before Budimir could only direct a close range header straight at the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper.

Bostjan Cesar's team were keen to exploit any mistakes from the hosts, as Zan Vipotnik latched onto Mateo Kovacic's misplaced pass and saw his drilled shot parried to safety by Livakovic.

Livakovic was called into action again shortly after the restart to tip over Tjas Begic's volley, before Croatia's ever present talisman broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.

Perisic set up Luka Modric to calmly place his shot from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner past an outstretched Oblak.

Dalic's men pushed for a second when Igor Matanovic headed over from Martin Baturina's free kick, but Cesar's side were not ready to give up. Livakovic was certainly busy between the sticks, denying Vipotnik again moments later.

But after plenty of warnings, Slovenia equalised in what was a dreadful moment for Baturina. The Como midfielder's sloppy backpass was intercepted by Andraz Sporar, who calmly slotted his finish past Livakovic.

That goal exposed some alarmingly familiar defensive weaknesses for a Croatia side that have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games, but that frustration was soon forgotten when Mario Pasalic struck a wonderful volley in stoppage time to seal victory.

Meanwhile, this frustrating defeat for Slovenia leaves them with just one win from their last ten games.