With a World Cup place secured, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic made seven changes to his starting lineup for this final Group L game, while Montenegro had only pride at stake.
One of the players to step in for Croatia was Igor Matanovic, and the striker missed a golden chance when he headed over from close range inside two minutes.
He was punished just 40 seconds later when Duje Caleta-Car’s error allowed Milutin Osmajic to race clear and finish under Dominik Livakovic.
It was just the third goal Croatia have conceded in this qualifying campaign – and the first on their travels – but within 14 minutes they trailed 2-0.
Nikola Krstovic had scored each of his past five goals for club or country before half-time, and the Montenegro forward was similarly quick off the mark here, swivelling 20 yards out and firing a low drive past Livakovic.
The comeback began eight minutes before the break, though. Slobodan Rubezic’s sliding challenge on Kristijan Jakic was deemed too forceful by VAR, allowing captain Ivan Perisic to send the spot-kick down the middle on his 150th cap.
Croatia continued to dominate possession in the second half, but Montenegro remained a threat on the break, with Krstovic striking the outside of the post from the edge of the penalty area.
The visitors kept pushing, though, and equalised with 17 minutes remaining when substitute Petar Musa’s shot came back off the post, and Jakic was well placed to tuck home the rebound.
Dalic sent Luka Modric on for his 194th cap as Croatia hunted a winner, eventually finding it with three minutes left, as Vlasic lashed home from 20 yards for his second goal in as many games.
They can now look forward to next summer’s tournament, while Montenegro manager Mirko Vucinic will rue a missed opportunity to end their campaign on a high.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nikola Krstovic (Montenegro)
