Croatia targets Cucurella after Perišić’s dismissal

“They boo him like they do in Germany” sums up the hostile mood towards Marc Cucurella in Croatia. Criticism intensified after the incident that brought Ivan Perišić a second yellow card and a sending-off. Croatia has challenged Cucurella’s conduct in that sequence, with strong criticism directed at the Spanish defender.

After the incident, the Croatian crowd booed Cucurella whenever he touched the ball. The reaction echoed the hostility he has faced in Germany since a controversial handball in the penalty area during extra time in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Jan Platte captured the atmosphere: “Every time Cucurella gets the ball, it feels as if he’s playing in Germany.”

The criticism also focused on his behaviour. Croatia’s coach accused him of “going to ground too easily” to influence refereeing decisions. In Croatia, Cucurella was also described as “provocative and unsporting”. Luka Modrić, meanwhile, held back: “I’d better not say what I said to Cucurella.” Another comment asked: “Who isn’t angry with Cucurella if he’s not on their team?”

The Croatian press also criticised Cucurella for calling for a yellow card after going to ground, and for his reaction when referee Erik Lambrechts dropped the red card: Marc quickly picked it up and handed it to him. The Spanish defender, for his part, said the foul was clear, there had been contact and there was nothing to dispute about the second booking. He added that the opposition had done what it needed to defend its team, while pointing to his side’s response after what he called a sleepy start.