Match story
- Croatia fired more attempts (21 vs 6 shots).
- Croatia was more accurate in front of goal (52% on target vs 33%).
- Croatia held more of the ball (67% possession).
Croatia defeated Armenia 1-0 in Euro Championship - Qualification. The fixture is part of the Qualifying Round - 10 stage in the 2023 season. The match was played at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. I. Kružliak officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Croatia vs Armenia meeting in Euro Championship - Qualification with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Croatia and Armenia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Euro Championship - QualificationRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Croatia defeated Armenia 1-0 in Euro Championship - Qualification. The fixture is part of the Qualifying Round - 10 stage in the 2023 season. The match was played at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. I. Kružliak officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Croatia vs Armenia meeting in Euro Championship - Qualification with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Croatia and Armenia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Euro Championship - QualificationRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
With his penalty against Nashville SC, Lionel Messi has reached three consecutive misses from the 12 yards between Argentina and Inter Miami, tying the worst record in his career. Lionel Messi‘s return to Major League Soccer action was far from a dream night, as he failed to convert a penalty during Inter Miami‘s humbling 4-1 loss to Nashville SC on Saturday. The failed attempt marks his third consecutive missed penalty across competitions for club and with the Argentina national team, matching the longest spot-kick drought of his career. After Andy Najar put Nashville ahead in the 17th minute off an accurate cross from Elias Saad, Inter Miami pressed aggressively for an immediate equalizer. Following a lofted pass over the defense from Casemiro, Luis Suarez controlled the ball, cut back onto his left foot, and was brought down in the box by Jeisson Palacios after a mistimed tackle in the 22nd minute. Messi stepped up to the spot, using a stutter-step approach to try and freeze Brian Schwake. Though the goalkeeper committed early and dived to his right, Schwake managed to stick out his legs and make the save. Sergio Reguilon pounced on the rebound and slotted it into the back of the net, but the goal was quickly disallowed due to encroaching into the penalty area. Failing to convert from the spot against Nashville extends Messi’s current slide to three straight misses from 12 yards out. Saturday’s failure was also his second missed penalty in an Inter Miami shirt, with the first occurring back in September 2025 during a 3-0 regular-season defeat against Charlotte FC. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF takes a misses the penalty against Nashville SC. (Carly Mackler/Getty Images) The penalty miss against Nashville highlights a rare dip in execution for the Argentine legend when facing opposing goalkeepers from the spot. During the 2026 World Cup with Argentina, he dragged a penalty wide in a group-stage match against Austria, and had another attempt saved by Mostafa Shobeir in a round of 16 clash against Egypt, bringing his total to three straight failures. Despite the recent slump, Messi remains one of the premier dead-ball technicians in modern soccer history. Across 149 career penalty attempts for club and country, the forward has converted 114 times while missing 35, maintaining a respectable 76.5% conversion rate. When did Messi last miss three consecutive penalties? As the captain and primary penalty taker for both Inter Miami and Argentina, Messi naturally carries the responsibility whenever a spot kick is awarded. While this three-match slump is an unusual sight, it is not the first time he has endured a cold stretch from the spot. The only other time Lionel Messi missed three consecutive penalties was back in 2014 while playing for FC Barcelona and Argentina. That run began in an April 2014 match against Real Betis, where Antonio Adan saved a late attempt in the 86th minute. His next miss came that September in a 5-0 win over Levante UD when he fired completely wide, followed by an October friendly with Argentina where Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson stopped his 40th-minute effort. Messi ultimately snapped that 2014 drought in November during an international friendly against Croatia at Boleyn Ground, converting from the spot to secure a 2-1 victory. Inter Miami return to action next Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union, where Messi will look to end his current drought or risk setting an unprecedented personal low.
With Rodri reportedly set to join Barcelona for a $87.8M fee, the lineup alongside Lamine Yamal and Pedri starts to take shape. Rodri‘s potential transfer to FC Barcelona has emerged as one of the defining storylines of the 2026 summer transfer window. With the Blaugrana and Manchester City reportedly reaching a full agreement on an $87.8 million fee, Hansi Flick’s squad is beginning to take definitive shape as the star midfielder prepares to slot in alongside Lamine Yamal and Pedri. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City have agreed to a package worth up to 76.5 million euros ($87.8M USD) for Rodri to complete his move to Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder, who was entering the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues, will sign a long-term deal keeping him at the Catalan club through June 2030. The deal consists of a guaranteed base fee of 60 million euros ($65.8M USD), with the remaining 16.5 million euros structured in performance-based add-ons. The Athletic reports that 11 million euros of those incentives are considered easily achievable, giving Manchester City full confidence in recouping at least 71.5 million euros from the transaction. Barcelona have held a long-standing interest in Rodri and accelerated negotiations once the midfielder made it clear he preferred a move to the Camp Nou over competing interest from Real Madrid. After being left out of Manchester City’s squad for the FA Community Shield against Arsenal, travel arrangements and medical examinations are now being finalized to officially complete the transfer. Mateo Kovacic of Croatia battles for possession with Rodri and Pedri of Spain. (Julian Finney/Getty Images) How does Rodri fit in Barcelona? Barcelona have previously struggled to establish a firm identity during brief coaching tenures under Quique Setien and Ronald Koeman, though Xavi Hernandez brought initial structural stability. However, since Hansi Flick took charge and Lamine Yamal emerged as a generational superstar, the Blaugrana have re-established themselves as one of Europe’s most formidable attacking forces. Bringing tactical principles refined during his time at Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, Flick introduced a far more direct, vertical playing style while preserving Barcelona’s traditional possession-based roots. However, that high-octane verticality often proved to be a double-edged sword, leaving the back line vulnerable whenever an opponent bypassed the team’s high press. This dynamic produced several chaotic, high-scoring affairs, including a 7-2 win over Newcastle United, a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge, a 5-4 thriller over Benfica, and a wild 7-6 aggregate semifinals series against Inter Milan in 2024-25. While thrilling for neutral observers, those frantic games revealed a lingering tactical imbalance despite Barcelona remaining committed to their press and high defensive line. That aggressive approach, while effective domestically, exposed vulnerabilities in Flick’s pursuit of European silverware. By adding Rodri to the midfield engine room, the German manager gains a elite defensive anchor capable of dictating tempo rather than forcing rapid transitions, providing vital structural balance through his world-class distribution and defensive positioning. Projected lineup for Barcelona with Rodri’s arrival With Rodri’s arrival, Barcelona’s starting defensive unit is expected to remain largely intact. Joan Garcia will start in goal, flanked by Jules Kounde at right back, Alejandro Balde at left back, and the tandem of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin operating at center back. In midfield, Rodri and Pedri are projected to form a double pivot, albeit with distinctly complementary responsibilities. Operating as the deep-lying playmaker, Rodri will drop between the center backs to anchor the build-up phase, unlocking Pedri to advance into a traditional No. 8 role where he can dribble and feed line-breaking passes to the front line. With Robert Lewando
SC Paderborn are reportedly closing in on the signing of former Bayern Munich attacking prospect Gabriel Vidovic from Dinamo Zagreb. According to Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti, Paderborn are prepar...
JACK GAUGHAN IN SEOUL: Enzo Maresca missed a trick if none of his staff thought to stick a GPS vest on him as he worked just south of the river in South Korea's capital.
A full breakdown of the 17 managerial changes following the 2026 World Cup, featured by high-profile appointments like Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp. It would be fair to say that international football management has become a cut-throat business if the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by. Belgium boss Rudi García’s exit following the expiry of his contract on July 31 took the number of managerial departures to 17 this summer. Read on as we look at which managers have left their roles this summer, before assessing some of the noteworthy appointments to replace them. International managerial exits: Summer 2026 Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the World Cup.Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Resigned after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Quit after Germany were beaten by Paraguay in the round of 32.Rudi García (Belgium) – Exited following Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals.Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Ended his tenure following Croatia’s round of 32 exit against Portugal.Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico lost against England in the round of 16.Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left after the Netherlands exited in the round of 32.Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned after Ecuador’s round of 32 elimination.Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Resigned after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Left after South Korea’s early exit.Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5–1 defeat at the tournament.Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the round of 32.Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Exited following Algeria’s disappointing campaign. Zidane & Klopp headline new managerial appointments Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the standout names on the list of replacements announced by international federations to date. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Deschamps. He will lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve often said it – there’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. “It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. “I also have a special thought for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.” The German Football Association’s decision to turn to Klopp was no real surprise given the lack of viable alternatives. The 59-year-old previously re-established Liverpool as a force in English football, before joining Red Bull GmbH as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025. He will now work to restore the fortunes of a team which has struggled to live up to its billing since last winning the World Cup in 2014. Portugal will embark on a new era after Martínez stepped aside. Jorge Jesus has replaced him after spending the last three years in the Saudi Pro League. Jesus must determine how best to handle veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has given no indication that he will retire from international football. Martínez made the mistake of pandering to Ronaldo at the World Cup, and his decision ultimately resulted in them making an early exit from the tournament. Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has suggested that the 41-year-old wi
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic says the club "count on me" despite being linked with a move away this summer. Reports suggest Serie A sides Juventus and former club Inter Milan are interested in taking the Croatia international back to Italy. The 32-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to be offered a new deal.
Mateo Kovacic is a player who could be an important squad member for Manchester City next season. The Croatian international is an experienced midfielder and that could be vital to Enzo Maresca’s sq...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
With his penalty against Nashville SC, Lionel Messi has reached three consecutive misses from the 12 yards between Argentina and Inter Miami, tying the worst record in his career. Lionel Messi‘s return to Major League Soccer action was far from a dream night, as he failed to convert a penalty during Inter Miami‘s humbling 4-1 loss to Nashville SC on Saturday. The failed attempt marks his third consecutive missed penalty across competitions for club and with the Argentina national team, matching the longest spot-kick drought of his career. After Andy Najar put Nashville ahead in the 17th minute off an accurate cross from Elias Saad, Inter Miami pressed aggressively for an immediate equalizer. Following a lofted pass over the defense from Casemiro, Luis Suarez controlled the ball, cut back onto his left foot, and was brought down in the box by Jeisson Palacios after a mistimed tackle in the 22nd minute. Messi stepped up to the spot, using a stutter-step approach to try and freeze Brian Schwake. Though the goalkeeper committed early and dived to his right, Schwake managed to stick out his legs and make the save. Sergio Reguilon pounced on the rebound and slotted it into the back of the net, but the goal was quickly disallowed due to encroaching into the penalty area. Failing to convert from the spot against Nashville extends Messi’s current slide to three straight misses from 12 yards out. Saturday’s failure was also his second missed penalty in an Inter Miami shirt, with the first occurring back in September 2025 during a 3-0 regular-season defeat against Charlotte FC. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF takes a misses the penalty against Nashville SC. (Carly Mackler/Getty Images) The penalty miss against Nashville highlights a rare dip in execution for the Argentine legend when facing opposing goalkeepers from the spot. During the 2026 World Cup with Argentina, he dragged a penalty wide in a group-stage match against Austria, and had another attempt saved by Mostafa Shobeir in a round of 16 clash against Egypt, bringing his total to three straight failures. Despite the recent slump, Messi remains one of the premier dead-ball technicians in modern soccer history. Across 149 career penalty attempts for club and country, the forward has converted 114 times while missing 35, maintaining a respectable 76.5% conversion rate. When did Messi last miss three consecutive penalties? As the captain and primary penalty taker for both Inter Miami and Argentina, Messi naturally carries the responsibility whenever a spot kick is awarded. While this three-match slump is an unusual sight, it is not the first time he has endured a cold stretch from the spot. The only other time Lionel Messi missed three consecutive penalties was back in 2014 while playing for FC Barcelona and Argentina. That run began in an April 2014 match against Real Betis, where Antonio Adan saved a late attempt in the 86th minute. His next miss came that September in a 5-0 win over Levante UD when he fired completely wide, followed by an October friendly with Argentina where Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson stopped his 40th-minute effort. Messi ultimately snapped that 2014 drought in November during an international friendly against Croatia at Boleyn Ground, converting from the spot to secure a 2-1 victory. Inter Miami return to action next Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union, where Messi will look to end his current drought or risk setting an unprecedented personal low.
With Rodri reportedly set to join Barcelona for a $87.8M fee, the lineup alongside Lamine Yamal and Pedri starts to take shape. Rodri‘s potential transfer to FC Barcelona has emerged as one of the defining storylines of the 2026 summer transfer window. With the Blaugrana and Manchester City reportedly reaching a full agreement on an $87.8 million fee, Hansi Flick’s squad is beginning to take definitive shape as the star midfielder prepares to slot in alongside Lamine Yamal and Pedri. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City have agreed to a package worth up to 76.5 million euros ($87.8M USD) for Rodri to complete his move to Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder, who was entering the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues, will sign a long-term deal keeping him at the Catalan club through June 2030. The deal consists of a guaranteed base fee of 60 million euros ($65.8M USD), with the remaining 16.5 million euros structured in performance-based add-ons. The Athletic reports that 11 million euros of those incentives are considered easily achievable, giving Manchester City full confidence in recouping at least 71.5 million euros from the transaction. Barcelona have held a long-standing interest in Rodri and accelerated negotiations once the midfielder made it clear he preferred a move to the Camp Nou over competing interest from Real Madrid. After being left out of Manchester City’s squad for the FA Community Shield against Arsenal, travel arrangements and medical examinations are now being finalized to officially complete the transfer. Mateo Kovacic of Croatia battles for possession with Rodri and Pedri of Spain. (Julian Finney/Getty Images) How does Rodri fit in Barcelona? Barcelona have previously struggled to establish a firm identity during brief coaching tenures under Quique Setien and Ronald Koeman, though Xavi Hernandez brought initial structural stability. However, since Hansi Flick took charge and Lamine Yamal emerged as a generational superstar, the Blaugrana have re-established themselves as one of Europe’s most formidable attacking forces. Bringing tactical principles refined during his time at Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, Flick introduced a far more direct, vertical playing style while preserving Barcelona’s traditional possession-based roots. However, that high-octane verticality often proved to be a double-edged sword, leaving the back line vulnerable whenever an opponent bypassed the team’s high press. This dynamic produced several chaotic, high-scoring affairs, including a 7-2 win over Newcastle United, a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge, a 5-4 thriller over Benfica, and a wild 7-6 aggregate semifinals series against Inter Milan in 2024-25. While thrilling for neutral observers, those frantic games revealed a lingering tactical imbalance despite Barcelona remaining committed to their press and high defensive line. That aggressive approach, while effective domestically, exposed vulnerabilities in Flick’s pursuit of European silverware. By adding Rodri to the midfield engine room, the German manager gains a elite defensive anchor capable of dictating tempo rather than forcing rapid transitions, providing vital structural balance through his world-class distribution and defensive positioning. Projected lineup for Barcelona with Rodri’s arrival With Rodri’s arrival, Barcelona’s starting defensive unit is expected to remain largely intact. Joan Garcia will start in goal, flanked by Jules Kounde at right back, Alejandro Balde at left back, and the tandem of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin operating at center back. In midfield, Rodri and Pedri are projected to form a double pivot, albeit with distinctly complementary responsibilities. Operating as the deep-lying playmaker, Rodri will drop between the center backs to anchor the build-up phase, unlocking Pedri to advance into a traditional No. 8 role where he can dribble and feed line-breaking passes to the front line. With Robert Lewando
SC Paderborn are reportedly closing in on the signing of former Bayern Munich attacking prospect Gabriel Vidovic from Dinamo Zagreb. According to Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti, Paderborn are prepar...
JACK GAUGHAN IN SEOUL: Enzo Maresca missed a trick if none of his staff thought to stick a GPS vest on him as he worked just south of the river in South Korea's capital.
A full breakdown of the 17 managerial changes following the 2026 World Cup, featured by high-profile appointments like Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp. It would be fair to say that international football management has become a cut-throat business if the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by. Belgium boss Rudi García’s exit following the expiry of his contract on July 31 took the number of managerial departures to 17 this summer. Read on as we look at which managers have left their roles this summer, before assessing some of the noteworthy appointments to replace them. International managerial exits: Summer 2026 Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the World Cup.Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Resigned after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Quit after Germany were beaten by Paraguay in the round of 32.Rudi García (Belgium) – Exited following Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals.Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Ended his tenure following Croatia’s round of 32 exit against Portugal.Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico lost against England in the round of 16.Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left after the Netherlands exited in the round of 32.Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned after Ecuador’s round of 32 elimination.Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Resigned after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Left after South Korea’s early exit.Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5–1 defeat at the tournament.Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the round of 32.Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Exited following Algeria’s disappointing campaign. Zidane & Klopp headline new managerial appointments Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the standout names on the list of replacements announced by international federations to date. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Deschamps. He will lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve often said it – there’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. “It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. “I also have a special thought for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.” The German Football Association’s decision to turn to Klopp was no real surprise given the lack of viable alternatives. The 59-year-old previously re-established Liverpool as a force in English football, before joining Red Bull GmbH as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025. He will now work to restore the fortunes of a team which has struggled to live up to its billing since last winning the World Cup in 2014. Portugal will embark on a new era after Martínez stepped aside. Jorge Jesus has replaced him after spending the last three years in the Saudi Pro League. Jesus must determine how best to handle veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has given no indication that he will retire from international football. Martínez made the mistake of pandering to Ronaldo at the World Cup, and his decision ultimately resulted in them making an early exit from the tournament. Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has suggested that the 41-year-old wi
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic says the club "count on me" despite being linked with a move away this summer. Reports suggest Serie A sides Juventus and former club Inter Milan are interested in taking the Croatia international back to Italy. The 32-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to be offered a new deal.
Mateo Kovacic is a player who could be an important squad member for Manchester City next season. The Croatian international is an experienced midfielder and that could be vital to Enzo Maresca’s sq...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
