During regular time at De Kuip, Andrej Kramaric and Mario Pasalic responded with goals to Donyell Malen's first-half opener, seemingly securing Croatia's place in the showpiece event. However, Noa Lang equalized in the dying seconds of normal time, briefly bringing joy to the Dutch side. Nonetheless, Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric dashed Oranje's hopes as they propelled Croatia to only their second major tournament final since the 2018 World Cup.
Both teams, having endured a challenging domestic season, showcased a cautious and uneventful start in Rotterdam. Scoring opportunities were scarce, with an abundance of corners, free kicks, and throw-ins in the first 20 minutes. Croatia had a goal disallowed in the 25th minute due to Pasalic's dangerous attempt, which unintentionally struck Nathan Ake while attempting a scissor kick.
Surviving that incident and weathering a series of Modric corners, the Netherlands gradually gained momentum. In the 32nd minute, Teun Koopmeiners missed a high volley over the bar from one of their frequent lofted passes. However, just two minutes later, Oranje drew first blood as a smooth passing sequence inside the Croatia box concluded with Mats Wieffer finding Malen, who confidently slotted the ball home from the right side of the penalty area.
Malen's goal was the only shot on target during an otherwise unremarkable first half. Three minutes into the second half, Croatia attempted to level the scores with a curling shot from Kramaric, which narrowly missed the target due to an offside decision.
Zlatko Dalic's side was soon offered a lifeline when Cody Gakpo clumsily fouled Modric inside the penalty area after the Real Madrid player had dispossessed him. Justin Bijlow dived to his right, but Kramaric calmly converted the penalty down the middle to equalize in the 55th minute, leaving little response from Ronald Koeman's team.
As the Chequered Ones gained more possession, their dominance paid off in the 73rd minute. Pasalic outpaced a stationary Virgil van Dijk to Luka Ivanusec's cross and guided a side-footed volley into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
With the Netherlands failing to apply significant pressure, Ivanusec had plenty of time and space to find Pasalic. Despite relentless pressure from the Dutch, Croatia appeared poised to hold on during six minutes of injury time. However, on the final attack in regular time, Croatia struggled to deal with Koopmeiners's curling cross to the back post. After a brief scramble, the ball fell to Lang, who calmly side-footed a half-volley into the net, sparking jubilation among the blue-clad supporters.
Delight turned to despair just eight minutes into extra time as Croatia substitute Petkovic, the hero in regular time, restored his team's lead in style. He executed a sublime turn to evade Frenkie de Jong before unleashing a thunderous strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Lang had a glorious opportunity to repeat his heroics in the 111th minute but only found the side netting. That miss proved decisive as, with just three minutes remaining, Tyrell Malacia fouled Petkovic inside the box, leading to a penalty. Modric maintained his composure and converted the spot-kick from 12 yards, putting the result beyond any doubt.
Petkovic briefly believed he had scored a second goal in injury time, but the offside flag
spared the Netherlands from a more humiliating defeat. However, Koeman's side was far from joyous at the disallowed goal.
Croatia will now face the winners of the semi-final between Spain and Italy for a chance to lift the trophy, while the losing team will compete against the Netherlands in the third-place playoff.
