Modric leads Croatia as they kill Oranje in extra time to reach Nations League final

The Dutch national side relies on some huge names like Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Denzel Dumfries, and Nathan Ake, but it didn't prevent them from saying 'bye' to UEFA Nations League on Wednesday night. Ronald Koeman's slot lost 4-2 to Croatia at Rotterdam after extra time in the Nations League semi-final.

This is Oranje's first defeat at De Kuip stadium after 23 years, when they lost to Portugal 2-0 in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Although the hosts were in front at the half-time interval thanks to Donyell Malen's opener, Croatia fought back and seconds were separating them from victory in the 90 minutes. Still, the fact they conceded so late, thus taking the match to extra time, didn't bother them too much, and another two goals in the following 30 minutes earned them a place in the Nations League final.

Tonight, it was the battle of two evenly-matched sides, with not many chances on both ends in the opening half an hour. A few minutes later, however, Malen broke the deadlock after an excellent four-piece action, as the hosts moved the ball in a tiki-taka style from left to right. The Dutch forward found himself unmarked in the middle of the area and buried it low into the far corner for 1-0.

One of the best national teams in the world, though, didn't succumb to despair but kept calm and responded furiously after the break. Cody Gakpo took down Real Madrid's Luka Modric in the Netherlands' box, and Andrej Kramaric easily converted a penalty to level the score. Croatia were adamant about sealing the deal without the extra time, and that sort of attitude paid off for them in the 72nd minute as Mario Pasalic volleyed it superbly, with Van Dijk staying too far away to save his side from conceding the second one.

From that moment, it seemed the visitors would triumph in front of packed stands all in orange, but... The game's not over till the fat lady sings, as they say, and six minutes of the stoppage time was just enough for the Dutch squad to nail a last-gasp equalizer thanks to Noa Lang, some 20 seconds before the final whistle.

Koeman's boys saved themselves, only not for too long. Super-sub Bruno Petkovic - exactly the one who thumped Brazil in the extra time of the World Cup 1/4 final - produced another display to remember. Petkovic opted for a remarkable solo run before firing it past Van Dijk into the back of the net from around the edge of the box.

The cherry on top was deservedly put by none other than Modric himself. The amazing veteran scored from the spot, Croatia's second penalty tonight, for a massive celebration on the pitch.

Croatia will face the winner of tomorrow's semi-final clash Italy-Spain in the showdown scheduled for Sunday.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE - SEMIFINALS

Wednesday

The Netherlands - Croatia 2-4 a.e.t. (2-2, 1-0)

/Malen 34, Lang 90+6 - Kramaric 55 pen, Pasalic 72, Petkovic 98, Modric 116 pen/

Thurdsay

21.45: (2.35) Spain (3.25) Italy (3.15)

***odds are subject to change***