Croatia U-17 stayed in the race for the European Championship semifinals with a victory against Estonia
The Croatia national football team under 17 achieved its first victory at the final tournament of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Estonia, defeating the host Estonia 3:1 in the second round of Group A. According to the report of the Croatian Football Federation, the team of head coach Marijan Budimir kept its chances of qualifying for the semifinals with this victory ahead of the final group match, against Spain on 31 May. The match was played on 28 May at the Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn, and UEFA states in the official schedule that the final tournament is being played in Estonia from 25 May to 7 June 2026. After the opening defeat against Belgium, Croatia needed a positive result in order to remain competitive in the group, which also includes host Estonia, Belgium and Spain. It achieved that with a convincing performance, especially in the first half, when it created the decisive advantage and steered the match toward victory.
An early goal changed the course of the match
Croatia, according to the official HNS report, took the lead as early as the second minute through Nik Škafar Žužić, which sent the match from the very beginning in a direction that suited Budimir's team. The early goal was important both in terms of the score and psychologically, especially after the defeat against Belgium in the first round, because it allowed Croatia to play more securely, with more space and clearer control of the rhythm. Škafar Žužić escaped the Estonian defense and, from an angle on the left side, struck into the opposite corner of the home goalkeeper's net. HNS states that Croatia continued to create chances even after taking the lead, with Jona Benkotić and Jakov Dedić being dangerous in the opening part of the encounter. Such a start to the match proved decisive because the hosts were forced to take more risks than planned, while Croatia could use the speed of its attackers and its quality in the final third of the pitch.
The second goal came in the 35th minute, again through Škafar Žužić, who, according to the HNS report, passed several Estonian players from the left side and struck with his right foot into the opposite top corner. It was a moment that further confirmed Croatia's superiority in the first half. Although the young Croatian internationals could have had an even more convincing advantage before the break, the 2:0 score was enough to enter the second half with clear control of the match. HNS also noted in its report several missed chances in the first half, including attempts by Luka Bartolović and Karlo Zirdum. Despite that, Škafar Žužić's efficiency at key moments gave Croatia what it had lacked in the first match of the tournament, when it remained without a goal against Belgium.
Škafar Žužić a two-goal scorer and the standout individual
Nik Škafar Žužić was the central figure of the match, not only because of his two goals but also because of the action that led to Croatia's third goal. In the 54th minute he won a penalty kick, which captain Jona Benkotić converted a minute later for 3:0. According to the HNS report, that goal practically settled the question of the winner, although Estonia managed to reduce the defeat before the end. After the match, Škafar Žužić told HNS that the team had fulfilled the tasks set by the head coach, adding that the feeling of scoring at the European Championship is exceptionally great for a young player. He especially highlighted the atmosphere at the stadium and the importance of the victory for confidence ahead of the decisive duel with Spain.
Head coach Marijan Budimir also emphasized the importance of the early goal in his statement for HNS. According to his words, unlike in the match against Belgium, Croatia entered this match much better, and the quick lead enabled the team to play more easily and with greater assurance. Budimir pointed out that Škafar Žužić is one of the most important players of this generation and that against Estonia he showed quality in finishing, but also the ability to create an advantage in individual situations. He also noted that some players managed to rest for the final group match, which may be important given the short interval between matches at the final tournament. The victory against Estonia also had symbolic value for Croatia because Budimir, according to HNS, emphasized that it was the first victory of the Croatian U-17 national team at European Championships since 2015.
Estonia reduced the deficit near the end, but without a comeback
Estonia scored its only goal in the 90th minute, when Aston Visse softened the defeat of the home national team. According to the match record published by HNS, Visse came off the bench in the 68th minute, replacing Tomingas, and near the end he made use of one of the situations in front of the Croatian goal. That goal did not change the overall picture of the match, but it at least gave Estonia a reduction of the score in front of the home crowd. Even after the third goal, Croatia had chances for a more convincing victory, with HNS singling out the opportunities of Juraj Frigan in the 69th minute and Toni Ruso in the 86th minute. In the context of the fight for progression, every goal and the overall goal difference may be relevant, but Croatia above all achieved what was necessary: it won three points and remained in contention until the final round.
The match was refereed by Oguzhan Çakir from Turkey, and HNS states that Croatia played with the following lineup: Lojen, Posavec, Pavić, Zirdum, Paunović, Beader Trajanovski, Miličić, Bartolović, Benkotić, Škafar Žužić and Dedić. In the second half, Sablić, Modrić, Joka, Frigan and Ruso were given a chance. Estonia, according to the same source, played with the following lineup: Ollin, Lorenz, Sammul, Nomm, Neltsas, Lehtmets, Mihhalevski, Timakov, Isok, Tomingas and Kaares, with Kalvik, Kranberg, Silm and Visse coming on. Such a match record further shows that both head coaches used the depth of their squads, which is especially important in a tournament format because of the workload on young players and the schedule of matches over a short period.
Group A remains open before the final round
After the second round, according to HNS, Spain was at the top of Group A with six points, while Belgium and Croatia had three points each, and Estonia was without points. UEFA announced in the official schedule that Spain defeated Belgium 1:0 in the second round, while Croatia beat Estonia 3:1. Such an outcome means that Croatia has the opportunity to secure a semifinal place in the final round against Spain, but the outcome depends on the result of that match and the overall group standings. According to UEFA's format for the final tournament, the two best national teams from each group progress to the knockout phase. For that reason, the victory in Tallinn had double value: it ended the negative run after the defeat in the first round and returned Croatia to a realistic fight for one of the top two places.
In its official tournament information, UEFA states that Group A consists of Estonia, Belgium, Croatia and Spain, while Group B consists of Montenegro, France, Italy and Denmark. The final tournament is being played at four stadiums: Lilleküla staadion, Kadrioru staadion and Kalevi Keskstaadion in Tallinn, and Rakvere linnastaadion in Rakvere. According to UEFA's schedule, Croatia plays against Spain on 31 May at the stadium in Rakvere, at the same time as Belgium and Estonia meet in Tallinn. Such simultaneous scheduling of the final-round matches is common in competitions in which results directly affect the standings, because it reduces the possibility of calculation. For Croatia, the duel with Spain will be the most demanding test of the group, but also an opportunity to turn the victory against Estonia into qualification among the four best national teams of the tournament.
The tournament in Estonia and the broader significance for the development of young players
UEFA announced that the 2026 European Under-17 Championship final tournament is being held from 25 May to 7 June in Estonia, which is hosting this final tournament for the first time. It is a competition that traditionally has an important developmental role because it allows young players to perform in a competitive environment that is organizationally and results-wise demanding, but still adapted to their age. In that context, results are not the only criterion, although they are of great importance for national teams, coaching staffs and federations. Matches like this one against Estonia also serve as a test of the players' ability to respond to pressure, change the impression after a defeat and apply tactical requirements in a short time. In Tallinn, Croatia made an important step precisely in that regard, because after an unsuccessful opening it showed a reaction, efficiency and enough stability to keep its advantage.
In its presentation of the participants, UEFA states that Croatia reached the final tournament after a successful second qualifying round in which it won Group A7, with victories against Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland and a draw against Poland. In the first qualifying round, according to UEFA data, Croatia was second in Group 8, with a defeat against Kazakhstan and victories against Albania and the Netherlands. Such a path to the final tournament shows that the generation already had experience of high-stakes matches before arriving in Estonia. UEFA singled out Jakov Dedić as Croatia's top scorer in qualifying with five goals, while HNS, after the duel with Estonia, put Škafar Žužić in the foreground, as he took over the main attacking role at a key moment of the tournament. For young players, such matches often carry special weight because they can affect their affirmation in the national team, but also their further club development.
Budimir's team showed a reaction after the defeat against Belgium
Croatia opened the European Championship with a 0:2 defeat against Belgium, which, according to UEFA's official schedule, was the first match of Group A. After such a start, the match against Estonia had the character of an encounter in which defeat would have meant an almost certain farewell to the fight for the semifinals. Budimir's team responded with attacking play and determination, and the difference in finishing compared with the first appearance was especially important. After the victory, the head coach told HNS that the coaching staff had prepared the match well and that the players showed a different start and better concentration from the beginning. Such public emphasis on preparation and the team's reaction indicates that after Belgium the coaching staff was primarily seeking better intensity in the opening minutes and clearer concreteness in finishing.
The victory against Estonia does not solve all of Croatia's tasks in the group, but it changes the tone of the final stretch of the competition for Budimir's team. Instead of a match without competitive significance, the duel with Spain becomes an opportunity to continue the tournament and confirm that the Croatian generation can compete with the strongest national teams in the under-17 age group. Spain has already shown stability after two victories in the first two rounds, and according to UEFA's schedule it defeated Estonia 4:1 in the first round and Belgium 1:0 in the second. Croatia, on the other hand, will enter that encounter with increased confidence, but also with awareness that the opponent will require an even higher level of concentration. The outcome of the match in Rakvere will therefore determine whether the victory in Tallinn remains a valuable reaction after a poor start or the beginning of Croatia's path toward the knockout phase.
Scorers and basic match information
According to the HNS match record, Estonia and Croatia played the second-round match of Group A at the Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn, and Croatia won 3:1. The scorers for Croatia were Nik Škafar Žužić in the 2nd and 35th minutes and Jona Benkotić from a penalty kick in the 55th minute. Aston Visse scored for Estonia in the 90th minute. The result is especially important because Croatia gained its first three points at the tournament and kept pace with Belgium in the fight for second place, while Estonia remained without points after two rounds. UEFA's official schedule confirms that the final round of Group A is played on 31 May, when Croatia plays against Spain and Belgium against Estonia.
- Competition: UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2026.
- Stage: Group A, second round.
- Match: Estonia U-17 – Croatia U-17 1:3.
- Venue: Lilleküla staadion, Tallinn, Estonia.
- Scorers: 0:1 Nik Škafar Žužić 2', 0:2 Nik Škafar Žužić 35', 0:3 Jona Benkotić 55' from a penalty kick, 1:3 Aston Visse 90'.
- Croatia's next match: Croatia – Spain, 31 May 2026, Rakvere linnastaadion.
Sources:
- Croatian Football Federation – report from the Estonia U-17 – Croatia U-17 match and official data on scorers, lineups and group standings (link)
- Croatian Football Federation – statements by Nik Škafar Žužić and head coach Marijan Budimir after the match (link)
- UEFA – official schedule, results, groups, stadiums and format of the 2026 European Under-17 Championship final tournament (link)
- UEFA – presentation of the final tournament participants and Croatia U-17's qualifying path (link)