Slovakia Settles For Point Against Croatia, Fail To Qualify For 2022 FIFA World Cup
Oct 11, 2021, 2:59 PM
Albert Rusnak #11 of Real Salt Lake dribbles the ball while Chase Gasper #77 of Minnesota United defends in the first half of the game at Allianz Field on April 24, 2021 in St Paul, Minnesota. Real Salt Lake defeated Minnesota 2-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Slovakian National Team drew 2-2 with Croatia in a must-win match and will now not be able to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Real Salt Lake captain Albert Rusnák started on the bench for the second consecutive match and did not feature in the game against Croatia. Days ago, against Russia, Rusnák appeared off the bench in the 64th minute.
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With the draw, Slovakia can no longer qualify for the 2022 World Cup as they sit seven points behind second-placed Croatia with just two matches remaining. The most points they can end with is 16, and with Croatia currently being on 17 points, the margin of difference is not attainable.
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Slovakia, on two occasions, found themselves in front. But the class of Croatia rose and in the 71st minute, Luka Modrić scored from a free-kick just outside the area to level the score 2-2.
Rusnák will not return to Real Salt Lake in an effort to help the club to a postseason birth. The next club fixture will occur this Saturday (October 16) when Real Salt Lake hosts Colorado Rapids in a game that will determine the winner of the Rocky Mountain Cup.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. and will be available to stream via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.
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