Czech Republic vs Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. The fixture is part of the 1 stage in the 2026 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 2026-09-26T18:45:00Z. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Czech Republic and Croatia. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Nations League
Czech Republic CZE
Croatia CRORecorded meetings: 4 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Model outlook versus market-implied chances (overround removed from decimal odds). For entertainment and analysis only — not betting advice.
Estimated outcome mix from Sportra's pre-match model
No prematch 1X2 odds snapshot available.
Live prices usually appear after kickoff. Prematch odds (if any) are in Prematch market.
Neymar ripped Vila Belmiro's groundskeeper on Instagram after suffering a thigh injury in Santos' Copa do Brasil elimination to Palmeiras. Neymar took to Instagram to blast the groundskeeper at Vila Belmiro after picking up a thigh injury during Santos’ Copa do Brasil quarterfinal elimination to Palmeiras. The Brazilian forward was forced off before halftime in the second leg, which ended 0-0 and sent Palmeiras through on a 3-0 aggregate scoreline. “Congratulations, eh… Excellent s— job,” Neymar wrote sarcastically in an Instagram story aimed at the club’s field caretaker. “Yesterday was the worst pitch Vila has ever had, full of holes because they did the decompaction the day before the match. Unbelievable!” he added. “Besides playing against our opponent, we also played against the field… and on top of that we have to push harder just to start and stop while running because the ground is uneven, it’s not for nothing that three players felt discomfort in the first half,” he wrote in a follow-up story. The discomfort came after Neymar received the ball with Agustin Giay closing him down and attempted a shot from outside the box with his left foot. Moments later he began grabbing at his right thigh and signaled to the bench in the 43rd minute. Neymar’s official Instagram account. He finished out the first half before Cuca opted to bring on Rony in his place at the break, as Santos were unable to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, leaving them eliminated in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Cuca addresses Neymar’s possible return Medical tests were conducted Thursday to determine the extent of the injury, though Santos had yet to confirm an official diagnosis. Head coach Cuca acknowledged it’s unlikely Neymar will be available for the club’s next Brasileirao fixture. “It’s not a situation we want, he’s probably out. We’re going to have to manage without him,” the coach said. Santos will visit Internacional on Sunday, September 6, before returning to continue their Copa Sudamericana campaign against Atletico Mineiro in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, September 8, with Neymar’s availability for either match still to be determined pending further evaluation.
The former Real Madrid teammates remain active at the highest level, and Modric believes Ronaldo still has plenty left in the tank as he closes in on another extraordinary landmark. Cristiano Ronaldo has spent much of his career making soccer’s impossible milestones look increasingly ordinary, and Luka Modric knows that better than most. The former Real Madrid teammates remain active at the highest level, and Modric believes Ronaldo still has plenty left in the tank as he closes in on another extraordinary landmark. The Croatian midfielder has watched Ronaldo’s evolution from close range, sharing some of the greatest moments in Real Madrid’s history with him. Now, with the Portuguese superstar approaching a number that has seemed almost unthinkable for generations of players, Modric has offered a fascinating prediction about how long his former teammate could continue. Modric and Ronaldo spent six seasons together at Real Madrid between 2012 and 2018, forming part of a team that dominated European soccer. The pair won four Champions League titles together, alongside numerous domestic and international honors, before eventually taking separate paths. That shared history gives Modric a unique perspective on Ronaldo’s mentality. While many players begin to slow down as they enter their late 30s and early 40s, Ronaldo has continued to score and compete at an extraordinary level. Speaking to Diario AS, Modric said: “Cristiano is incredible; he’s a phenomenon, a monster, and I have no doubt that he’s going to reach that number.” Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid CF celebrates with his team mate Luka Modric The midfielder was responding to a question about whether he simply expected Ronaldo to reach 1,000 official career goals, a milestone that would make him the first player to achieve it. Ronaldo was reportedly just 22 goals away from the landmark at the time of the interview. Why Modric would not be surprised if Ronaldo continues to play Modric’s confidence goes beyond Ronaldo reaching 1,000 goals. The Croatian explained that the Portuguese star’s mentality and natural ability to find the net make it difficult to place a normal limit on his career. Modric told Diario AS: “I don’t know how much longer he’ll want to keep playing, but he’s going to keep scoring goals even if he wants to continue until he’s 50.” He pointed specifically to Ronaldo’s character, confidence, and relentless desire to compete. Modric added: “His gift for scoring goals is incredible, and above all, his character, his faith, and his self-confidence; it’s something incredible.” That combination is what makes Modric’s prediction feel less like exaggeration and more like an assessment from someone who knows Ronaldo extremely well. At 41, Ronaldo is still chasing goals with the same competitive edge that defined his prime years. Friendship built at Real Madrid The relationship between the two veterans goes beyond what happened on the pitch. Modric has previously spoken warmly about Ronaldo’s personality away from soccer, while Ronaldo has repeatedly shown his admiration for the Croatian midfielder. Together, they played a major role in one of Real Madrid’s most successful eras. Their four Champions League triumphs included the unprecedented European dominance of the mid-2010s, with Ronaldo leading the scoring charts and Modric controlling games from midfield. Their careers eventually moved in different directions, but neither player has followed the conventional retirement timeline. Modric remains with Milan, while Ronaldo continues his career with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. For now, the immediate target remains the 1,000-goal mark. With only 22 goals reportedly separating Ronaldo from history, Modric has little doubt that his former teammate will eventually get there.
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