Postmatch editorial
The script held and Croatia delivered it
The final score was Montenegro 2-3 Croatia. The strongest pre-match signals were already leaning toward that outcome.
Montenegro struck first through Milutin Osmajic 3', but Croatia recovered and flipped the match.
The numbers leaned the same way as the scoreline: Croatia led Possession 37%-63%. Croatia also shaded Shots on target 5-7.
Before kickoff, our model made Croatia the likeliest result at 48.6%, while the median bookmaker line priced Croatia at 67.6% implied. On BTTS, the model leaned Yes (54.9%), and that angle landed.
The model still found a small price edge on 2 at 1xbet. The market was offering 4.14 against a fair line of 3.86. That translated to an edge of 7.3% before kickoff. That ticket matched the final outcome.
Prediction checks
Model result
Croatia
48.6%
Market result
Croatia
67.6%
BTTS
Yes
54.9%
Match numbers
Possession
CroatiaMontenegro
Croatia
37%
63%
Shots on target
CroatiaMontenegro
Croatia
5
7
Corners
MontenegroMontenegro
Croatia
5
3
Model edge
2
1xbet
Market odd
4.14
Fair odd
3.86
Edge
7.3%
Stake
1.04u
That ticket matched the final outcome.