Croatia booked their spot at next summer’s FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Faroe Islands in Group L qualifying – a result that also extinguished the visitors’ final hopes of claiming a playoff place.

Zlatko Dalić’s side, featuring several changes from the team that beat Gibraltar 3-0 last month, looked the more threatening early on. Ivan Perišić delivered an inch-perfect cross into the area, only for Petar Sučić to squander the first clear chance of the night.

However, a moment of hesitation at the halfway line proved costly. Josko Gvardiol miscontrolled the ball, allowing Géza Turi to surge forward and fire a deflected strike beyond Dominik Livaković, stunning the home crowd in the 15th minute. The underdogs almost doubled their lead soon after, as Jakup Andreasen’s looping header struck the post.

Gvardiol quickly made amends, though, drilling a powerful left-footed finish past Mattias Lamhauge in the 22nd minute to restore parity. The Faroe Islands continued to threaten on the break, with Hanus Sørensen forcing Livaković into another important save, before Luka Modrić began to dictate the tempo. The Croatian captain tested Lamhauge from distance, but the goalkeeper reacted sharply to keep the scores level at halftime.

Modrić remained central to Croatia’s rhythm after the restart, as the hosts applied immediate pressure. Andrej Kramarić somehow headed wide from close range, but Petar Musa was more clinical moments later, controlling superbly inside the area before firing Croatia into a 2-1 lead.

The Faroe Islands were forced deeper, often defending with 10 men behind the ball, and Croatia continued to search for a third. Perišić came close himself before turning provider once again. With 20 minutes remaining, he sprinted past Viljormur Davidsen and delivered a brilliant cross that Nikola Vlašić volleyed home at the back post, all but sealing the result.

From there, Croatia managed the game comfortably, though Petur Knudsen and Andreasen each tested Livaković late on. The visitors’ spirited effort ultimately wasn’t enough: a fifth defeat in six away matches ended their unlikely World Cup dream.

Croatia, meanwhile, can begin preparations for another appearance on football’s biggest stage, having secured qualification with a composed and ultimately deserved display in Zagreb.