FOOTBALL

35 YEARS SINCE CROATIA’S HISTORIC 2-1 WIN OVER USA

tsg_news October 17, 2025

Croatia celebrated the 35th anniversary of its historic first official international match, a 2:1 friendly victory over the United States on October 17, 1990, at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb before 30,000 fans.

Aljoša Asanović opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a precise finish, followed by Ivan Cvjetković’s goal four minutes later to make it 2:0 at halftime. Troy Dayak pulled one back for the USA in the 80th minute, but Croatia held on despite late pressure; yellow cards went to Kujtim Shala (40′), Bruce Murray (36′), and Marcelo Balboa (61′).

Croatia, coached by Dražan Jerković: Dražen Ladić (Tonči Gabrić 80′), Zoran Vulić, Drago Čelić, Darko Dražić, Vlado Kasalo, Saša Peršon (Gregor Židan 71′), Kujtim Shala, Zlatko Kranjčar, Ivan Cvjetković, Aljoša Asanović (Mladen Mladenović 58′), Marko Mlinarić. USA, under Bob Gansler: Tony Meola, Steven Trittschuh, Marcelo Balboa, Desmond Armstrong, Robin Fraser, James Banks (Mike Windischmann 81′), John Harkes, Eric Eichmann (Brian Bliss 57′), Paul Krumpe (Troy Dayak 46′), Bruce Murray, Peter Vermes. Italian referee Sergio Coppetelli officiated with assistants Dario Boemo and Giancarlo Dal Forno.

Held under President Franjo Tuđman’s patronage amid Yugoslavia’s junior Euro finals conflict, the match debuted Croatia’s iconic checkered jerseys designed by Miroslav Šutej and symbolized national independence. Jerković hailed it as “the match of Croatia,” crediting organizers like HNS president Mladen Vedriš; two months later, Croatia beat Romania 2:0, debuting stars like Davor Šuker.