World Cup wonder goals: Srna’s sumptuous free-kick
We count down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showing a wonder goal each day. Today’s shows Darijo Srna’s spectacular free-kick for Croatia at Germany 2006.
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Croatia v Australia Germany 2006 | Group F Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart
Croatia failed to score in their first two assignments in Germany. They needed to in their third and final first-phase game. Victory was required to go through at their opponents’ expense. Zlatko Kranjcar urged his charges to start fast. They responded. When Mark Viduka tripped Niko Kranjcar, 28 yards from goal, the coach was thrilled. A free-kick with Darijo Srna on the field was, after all, worth double.
Combining curl and force, the Shakhtar Donetsk man directed the ball into the top corner of the towering Zeljko Kalac’s net. Just 117 seconds were on the clock. It was, incredibly, the right-back’s 10th international goal in only his 39th cap. Ultimately, a 2-2 draw proved insufficient to keep Croatia in the competition, but Srna had left his mark on Germany 2006.