Road to Qatar: how Croatia qualified for World Cup 2022 - in pictures

A look at how Luka Modric and Co sealed their spot in the finals

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  HOW CROATIA QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group H): March 24, 2021. Slovenia 1 (Lovric 15') Croatia 0: A surprise defeat for the 2018 World Cup runners-up as Sandi Lovric's early goal proved the match-winner. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said: "Congratulations to the home team. We didn't look good. We were trying to do something, but at the end, we didn't deserve anything but a defeat here." Getty

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  March 27, 2021. Croatia 1 (Pasalic 40') Cyprus 0: Luka Modric became Croatia's most-capped player (135 appearances) as the home side sealed three points through Mario Pasalic's header. Dalic said: "It wasn't as convincing as I expected, but three points are the most important thing. It was a tough game ... but, Croatia have to be much, much better when we play against teams like this." Getty

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  March 30, 2021. Croatia 3 (Perisic 62', Modric pen 76', Brekalo 90') Malta 0: It took Croatia more than an hour to make breakthrough with second-half substitutes Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric and Josip Brekalo finally doing the damage. Dalic said: "Seven days, three matches, it's not easy for anyone. But we know what our goal is. We will finish first in our group and we will go to the World Cup." Getty

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  September 1, 2021. Russia 0 Croatia 0: Both teams stay on course for Qatar after a dull game short in Moscow. "Strategy-wise it might be OK to get a point away in Moscow but I still expected more," said Dalic. "We are going through a tough schedule with the Slovakia game coming just a few days after and we didn't play to our full strength." AFP

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  September 4, 2021. Slovakia 0 Croatia 1 (Brozovic 86') Marcelo Brozovic vollyed home the winner four minutes from time to move Croatia joint top of Group H alongside Russia. “Congratulations to my side for the effort and for not giving up and fighting," Dalic said. "The pitch was very bad and it hindered us but the three points was the most important." Reuters

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  September 7, 2021. Croatia 3 (Livaja 33', Pasalic 66', Vlasic 90'+4) Slovenia 0: Croatia gained revenge for their opening defeat with midfielder Mario Pasalic scoring one goal and setting up another. "We have not conceded a goal in the last five games in qualifying which is excellent. We have taken a big step to qualifying for Qatar," said Dalic. Reuters

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  October 8, 2021. Cyprus 0 Croatia 3 (Perisic 45+2', Gvardiol 80', Livaja 90+2'): Croatia remained top of the group on goal difference over Russia but needed two late goals from Josko Gvardiol and Marko Livaja to finish off Cyprus in Larnaca. EPA

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  October 11, 2021. Croatia 2 (Kramaric 25', Modric 71') Slovakia 2 (Schranz 20', Haraslin 45'): Veteran midfielder Luka Modric earned his team a point after Slovakia threatened to produce a shock in Osijek. "We controlled the match and had possession," Dalic said. "We conceded two soft goals when we didn't react well. I really don't have anything to complain about to the players." Reuters

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  November 11, 2021: Malta 1 (Brozovic og 31') Croatia 7 (Perisic 6', Caleta-Car 22', Pasalic 39', Modric 45+1', Majer 47', 64', Kramarić 53'): Croatia's crushing win sets up final match decider against Russia to decide who automatically qualifies for Qatar. AFP

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  November 14, 2021. Croatia 1 (Kudryashov 81') Russia 0: A late own goal from Fyodor Kudryashov earned Croatia a deserved win and automatic spot in Qatar after a string of saves by Russia goalkeeper Matvei Safonov threatened to keep them at bay. Croatia captain Modric said: "It was a difficult match from the beginning because of the rain. We never gave up, we were patient and I think we won deservedly. We are the best team in this group." Reuters

Croatia followed up their success at the 2018 World Cup by finishing top of their qualifying group for the finals in Qatar.

Zlatko Dalic's side, who finished runners-up in Russia four years ago, sealed automatic qualification by beating Russia in their final Group H match and finishing one point ahead of their rivals. They lost only one match along the way – against Slovenia in their opening game – and conceded only four times.

Veteran Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric became his country's most capped player during the group stage, overtaking Darijo Srna's 134 appearances following the win against Cyprus in March, 2021.

Modric, Mario Pasalic and Ivan Perisic were Croatia's joint-top scorers in the qualification campaign, with three goals each.

In Qatar, Croatia have been drawn in Group F, alongside Morocco, Canada and Belgium.

In the gallery above, you can see how Croatia qualified for the finals that kick off on November 20. To view the next image, click on the arrows or just swipe if on a mobile device.

Croatia's fixtures in Qatar

November 23 Morocco v Croatia – Al Bayt Stadium (2pm)

November 27 Croatia v Canada – Khalifa International Stadium (8pm)

December 1 Croatia v Belgium – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (7pm)