Russia needed a point to finish top of their qualification group over Croatia, but they conceded a comical late own goal and let their chances slip in an agonising manner. Instead, Croatia secured their place at the 2022 World Cup with a 1-0 win, courtesy of Fedor Kudryashov. The Russian defender put the ball into his own net with just a few minutes remaining on a wet day in Split.Finalists at the last World Cup in 2018, Croatia looked bound for the play-offs for much of Sunday’s game, as they toiled on a waterlogged pitch against a resolute Russian defence. But Kudryashov’s error saw them snatch top spot from the visitors eight minutes from time and secure their passage to next year’s tournament in Qatar.CROATIA MIGHT BE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP THROUGH A RUSSIA OWN GOAL 😱 pic.twitter.com/W6jC8DP2Yb— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2021 The Croats, led by their captain Luka Modric, controlled the possession but weren’t able to find that crucial opening goal as the visitors defended in numbers and used the appallingly soaked pitch in their advantage.An early header from Andrej Kramaric set the tone for a first half in which Croatia had the lion’s share of possession and piled on the pressure in search of an opener. Marcelo Brozovic also shaved the bar with a long-range effort, before both he and Josip Juranovic forced saves from Russian keeper Matvey Safonov.Safonov beat away another Kramaric header with a reflex save just after the break, before denying substitute Bruno Petkovic on the hour mark. The conditions made it harder and harder for Croatia as the second half progressed, with the pitch becoming ever boggier under the heavy rain.A late, dramatic own goal sends vice-world champions Croatia 🇭🇷 to Qatar 2022 😮💦 pic.twitter.com/Skj9oyqkY1— 433 (@433) November 14, 2021 The chances had all but dried up when Borna Sosa sent a hopeful ball into the box on 82 minutes. Though under no pressure, Kudryashov struggled to control the ball as it skidded on the wet ground, and watched helplessly on as it bounced off his knee and inside the post. Agony!While Croatia qualify automatically as Group H winners, Russia can still make it through via the play-offs.WORLD CUP – EUROPEAN QUALIFIERSRound 10SundayCroatia – Russia 1-0 (0-0)/Kudryashov 81 og/Malta – Slovakia 0-6 (0-3)/Rusnak 6, 16, Duda 7, 69, 80, De Marco 71/Slovenia – Cyprus 2-1 (0-0)/Zajc 48, Gnezda 84 – Kakoullis 89/
