Croatia emerged victorious from a thrilling and hard-fought battle, defeating Montenegro 3-2 away from home in UEFA World Cup qualification on November 18, 2025. The match was a tense Balkan derby that swung back and forth, with Croatia ultimately showing their experience to edge it. Montenegro fought valiantly, equalizing twice, but a late goal from the visitors secured a crucial three points. This victory was vital for Croatia's campaign, allowing them to keep pace with the group leaders in a tight race for qualification. The result demonstrated the resilience of Zlatko Dalić's team under pressure in a hostile away environment.