The Chelsea midfielder featured for 86 minutes of the 4-2 win in Rotterdam, helping his side come from behind to claim victory in extra-time.

Croatia looked on course for a 2-1 away victory after a penalty from Andrej Kramaric and a further strike from former Blue Mario Pasalic saw them overturn Donyell Malen’s opener, before a goal from Noa Lang deep into stoppage time ensured the game would need an additional 30 minutes to find a winning side.

However goals from Bruno Petkovic and a Luka Modric penalty ensured it would be Croatia heading into Sunday’s final against either Italy or Spain.

Kovacic started in a three-man midfield for Croatia alongside Real Madrid star Modric and Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic, catching the eye with a number of key passes and generally looked tidy on the ball.

However, despite a strong start from the visitors, it was the Netherlands who broke the deadlock. Mats Wieffer found Malen with a fine through ball and from around 15 yards, the frontman bundled the ball into the bottom corner.

Croatia drew level 10 minutes after the break, with Kramaric converting from 12 yards, before Pasalic turned the game on its head by netting 15 minutes from time.

Despite dominating in large spells, Croatia couldn’t see the game off and Lang pounced deep into stoppage time to take the game into extra-time.

Petkovic came off the bench to restore Croatia’s lead before skipper Modric ensured victory by netting a second penalty of the game to book their place in Sunday’s Nations League final.