Modric Scores as Croatia Beat Czechia, Pohjanpalo Hat-Trick Sinks San Marino

Luka Modric scored at the age of 41 as Croatia beat Czechia 2-1 in Prague to give new head coach Slaven Bilic a winning start, while Finland thrashed San Marino 7-0 behind a Joel Pohjanpalo hat-trick elsewhere in the Nations League.

Modric broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, latching onto a loose ball after Igor Matanovic pounced on a defensive error. Czechia hit back through Adam Karabec in the 54th minute, but substitute Marco Pasalic restored Croatia's lead in the 77th minute, heading home an Ivan Perisic cross to seal the win for Bilic, back in charge of the national team for a second spell.

In Serravalle, Pohjanpalo put Finland ahead inside five minutes and added two more in the second half, including a penalty, either side of a brace from Leo Walta and a goal from Benjamin Kallman, as San Marino were reduced to 10 men and thrashed 7-0.