Soccer-Croatia beat Slovakia with late Brozovic strike

Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group H - Slovakia v Croatia - Tehelne pole, Bratislava, Slovakia - September 4, 2021 Croatia's Marcelo Brozovic celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/David W Cerny

BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Croatia stayed on course to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after an 86th-minute goal from midfielder Marcelo Brozovic gave them a vital 1-0 win at Slovakia in their Group H qualifier on Saturday.

The result left the Croatians second in the group on 10 points from five games, behind Russia on goal difference and three ahead of third-placed Slovenia.