Luka Modrić Shines as Croatia Prepares for World Cup

At the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec in Varaždin, the old master stepped forward again.

Luka Modrić, still the heartbeat of Croatia, opened the scoring in a 2-1 win over Slovenia that felt far more serious than a friendly on the schedule. With England looming on 17 June in their World Cup opener, this was about rhythm, sharpness, and reminders of who still calls the shots in this team.

Modrić struck from the edge of the box, picking his moment and his spot with the kind of calm that has defined his career. One touch to set, one swing of that right boot, and Croatia had the platform they wanted.

The game, though, refused to drift into a training exercise. Slovenia hung in, grew bolder, and finally broke through in the 83rd minute when Andraž Šporar levelled, punishing a lapse that briefly silenced the home crowd. For a moment, the script threatened to turn.

Croatia pushed again. The pressure finally told deep into stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Mario Pašalić arrived with the decisive touch, snatching a winner that restored the scoreline and, just as importantly, the mood. A late goal, a late surge, and a reminder that this side still knows how to close out tight games when legs are heavy and minds are tested.

England will offer a very different kind of examination, but this was a useful rehearsal: Modrić dictating, Croatia digging in, and someone else stepping up at the death.

Estupiñan lights up Ecuador’s cruise past Guatemala

In another World Cup tune-up, Ecuador sent a clearer, louder message.

They brushed aside Guatemala 3-0, a convincing win built on control and finished with a flourish. Pervis Estupiñan stood out from start to finish, driving down the flank, snapping into challenges, and then delivering the moment that will live longest in the memory.

With the goalkeeper stranded too high, Estupiñan spotted his chance from long range and did not hesitate. He lifted the ball over him with precision and audacity, a superb third goal that underlined Ecuador’s confidence and his own growing influence.

At 3-0, the contest was over. What remained was the sense of a team gathering speed. With Ivory Coast waiting on 15 June in their World Cup opener, Ecuador now carry not just a win, but momentum and a touch of swagger into the tournament.

Bartesaghi steady as Italy’s experimental side edges Greece

For Italy, the night was quieter, but no less useful.

Davide Bartesaghi started again and stayed on for the full 90 minutes in an Italian side labelled “experimental” by coach Baldini. The performance matched the description: not always fluent, occasionally disjointed, but committed and organised.

Italy edged Greece 1-0, adding another narrow victory to their recent win over Luxembourg. The margin was slim; the value, for Baldini, was in the details. Bartesaghi’s full outing offered another data point, another step in his integration, another reason to trust him when the games start to matter more.

No fireworks, no drama. Just minutes banked, a clean sheet protected, and a coach a little clearer about who he can rely on when the stakes rise.