Croatia Faces Gibraltar in Critical World Cup Qualifier Match

VARAZDIN, Croatia — Croatia will look to maintain its unbeaten record in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign when it faces Gibraltar on October 12, 2025, at Stadion Andelko Herjavec.

Kickoff is set for 19:45 local time. Croatia currently leads Group L with 13 points from five matches, having scored 17 goals while maintaining strong defensive form. They dropped points earlier this week with a goalless draw against the Czech Republic.

Coach Zlatko Dalic’s team won four of their first five qualifying games and remains tied at the top of the standings. Despite the draw, Croatia boasts an impressive run under Dalic and seeks another three points against struggling Gibraltar.

On the other hand, Gibraltar is still seeking its first points in Group L. The team enters the match following a humiliating 2-0 defeat to New Caledonia, which extended their winless streak to seven matches across all competitions.

Gibraltar coach Scott Wiseman faces a daunting task against one of Europe’s strongest teams. Their form has been dismal, highlighted by a 7-0 defeat in their last meeting with Croatia.

In terms of personnel, Croatia will be without Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanisic due to a leg injury. However, Dalic is expected to rotate his squad, potentially starting Franjo Ivanovic and Marco Pasalic. Dominik Livakovic is set to guard the net, aiming for his fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Gibraltar’s performance has been lackluster, with a defensive strategy required to avoid another heavy defeat. Manchester United academy player James Scanlon, just 19, could provide a glimmer of hope in midfield. Despite a recent red card, Julian Valarino is available for the match.

Betting odds reflect Croatia’s dominance, with them favored to win at -100000. A draw sits at +6600, while Gibraltar’s chances of winning are rated at +20000. Recent trends suggest a high probability of multiple goal scorers for Croatia.

Overall, predictions lean towards a high-scoring affair, given Croatia’s offensive capabilities and Gibraltar’s struggling defense. The match promises excitement as Croatia aims to assert its control early on against a team in desperate need of points.