The runners-up from the 2018 World Cup have advanced to another final.
With a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in Rotterdam, substitute Bruno Petkovic scored and successfully converted a penalty to help Croatia earn its first-ever spot in the Nations League final.
Just seconds after the Dutch secured an equalizer in the sixth minute of added time, the Dinamo Zagreb striker entered the game and immediately changed the course of the match.
Petkovic's driving run and 25-yard shot gave Croatia the lead once more before the 28-year-old, who tied the score against Brazil in extra time during the World Cup quarterfinal, won a penalty for Luka Modric to make it 4-2.
Just before the final horn, VAR disallowed him for offside on a second goal.
With Spain or Italy standing in their way in the Sunday final, Croatia, who advanced to the 2018 World Cup final and placed third last year in Qatar, is one victory away from winning their first major prize.
After Donyell Malen of Borussia Dortmund scored the game's opening goal in the first half, they had to fight back and score with their first two shots on goal after the interval.
An improvement that Andrej Kramaric's penalty started 17 minutes earlier was completed in the 72nd minute by Mario Pasalic's goal.
However, Noa Lang pounced to force extra time just when it seemed like they would be able to celebrate making it to the championship game.
Petkovic's introduction paid off eight minutes into the extra frame when he scored to give his team a new lead.
Desperately, the Netherlands moved Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk up front, but their hopes were dashed when Manchester United's Tyrell Malacia fouled Petkovic and Modric converted the penalty to send Justin Bijlow the wrong way.
Croatia defeats the Netherlands in extra time to get to the Nations League final.
Mario Pasalic’s 72nd-minute goal capped a turnaround started 17 minutes earlier by Andrej Kramaric’s penalty.
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