Montenegro’s national football team celebrated a hard-fought victory against Gibraltar, winning 2-1 in their latest World Cup qualifying match. This victory marks the third triumph for Montenegro in the qualifiers, echoing their previous win against the same opponent in March, which also featured a comeback after trailing.
Strong performances characterized the match, particularly in the second half. Nikola Krstović, who scored the decisive penalty for Montenegro in the 72nd minute, expressed concerns about the playing surface. “We knew what was coming; the conditions were similar to those we faced in Torshavn last October. We should ban playing on such pitches; it’s difficult to adapt,” he stated. He emphasized that football should not be played on such terrain, which differs significantly from the artificial surfaces found in Montenegro.
Krstović acknowledged the team’s struggles in the first 20 minutes but noted a shift in momentum thereafter. “We could have scored more goals; we lacked the final pass. Nonetheless, we achieved what we came for. This match against a weaker opponent was beneficial for building our confidence after some less-than-stellar performances,” he added. His message was one of optimism, highlighting the youthful energy of the squad. “We are trying to meet the coach’s demands and foster a winning spirit. I believe the nation will be pleased, even if many do not have faith in us. We aim to surprise everyone and accomplish something significant in the near future.”
Vasilije Adžić also stood out during the match, equalizing with a stunning free-kick that caught the Gibraltar goalkeeper off guard. “Scoring this goal means a lot for my confidence, and I’m glad I could help the team. We are much more skilled than Gibraltar, and we demonstrated that. We should have closed the game earlier, given our numerous chances. I hope we can improve our finishing in future matches,” said Adžić, who plays for Juventus.
Andrija Bulatović, who played the full match, noted the team’s ability to regain composure after conceding an early goal. “We imposed our rhythm from the start but conceded an unfortunate goal that disrupted us momentarily. However, we quickly regained our footing. After a denied penalty, we played even better and deserved the win. This team has serious potential and will soon showcase its full brilliance,” he remarked.
A special moment occurred for young talent Sead Kolašinac, who played alongside his childhood idol, Adam Marušić. “It was an incredible feeling. Adam has been my idol since I started playing football. I’m glad he was captain tonight, and that we younger players contributed to a significant victory,” Kolašinac shared.
Montenegro’s win against Gibraltar not only boosts their confidence but also sets a positive tone as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification. The players’ collective determination and ambition signal a promising future for the national team.
