JOIN US Dark horses Croatia made a flying start at Euro 2012 on Sunday, giving a lively and varied attacking display in a 3-1 win over an unusually sloppy Ireland.
Although Ireland gave Croatia a helping hand in all three goals, the 2008 quarterfinalists were deserving winners as they ended their opponents’ 14-match unbeaten run and gave them an unhappy start to their first major tournament for 10 years.
Mario Mandzukic, off-balance and unmarked, headed Croatia ahead after two minutes, destroying Ireland’s plan to frustrate their opponents.
Although Sean St Ledger levelled for Ireland, Croatia regained the lead when Nikica Jelavic was left alone to prod the ball past Shay Given just before halftime.
An unlucky Given own goal at the start of the second half effectively ended Ireland's chances and put Croatia top of the Group ‘C’ after Spain and Italy drew 1-1 in Gdansk.
“We were much the better team, we were more creative on the pitch,” said Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, who will step down after the tournament after six years at the helm. “From the first minute of the match, I was confident we would be the better team. We showed tonight how we can play.”
Mandzukic, who had stumbled from his knees and was unmarked, got up just in time to head Darijo Srna’s cross from the right past a stranded Given after three minutes
It was a dream start for Croatia although Ireland hit back quickly when Aiden McGeady floated a long free kick over from the left and St Leger at the far post got ahead of Vedran Corluka to nod the equaliser.
Although the game briefly became bogged down in midfield, Croatia came into their own as Bilic’s bold formation paid off.
Captain Darijo Srna, usually a midfielder, was moved to right back and, with Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic marauding down the wings and playmaker Luka Modric coming to life, their quick and incisive attacks were a pleasant variation on Spain’s tiki-taki (short pass play).