Croatia have opened their Euro 2016 campaign in the best possible way, clinching a narrow 1-0 victory in a tight encounter with Turkey in Paris.
In an often cagey yet gripping encounter, either side struggled to break each other down, and it was left to Croatia’s star man to provide what would prove to be the difference. Luka Modric’s stunning long-range drive settled the score, handing his team a vital opening win in Group D, dubbed the group of death.
Although Turkey pressed hard, Croatia appeared comfortable throughout the game and always seemed to be in control. Yet the same could not be said about their centre-half Vedran Corluka, the victim of an early stray elbow.
The former Tottenham man was bandaged up heavily, but blood continued to flow from a gaping head wound, forcing the Croatia medical staff to provide ad hoc treatment. Those fixes were flimsy at best, and the continually improvised patchup jobs, alongside Modric, were the talk of the Twitter world. Here are the some of the best tweets:
Modric playing on another level entirely today, simply sublime so far. What a goal! #TURCRO
— Mr John glynn (@irishjohnny_g) June 12, 2016
Payet, Bale, Modric. @UEFAEURO has given us some belting goals so far. #EURO2016 #TURCRO
— Chris Moore (@chris_richardm) June 12, 2016
LUKA 😮👏🏻👏🏻
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 12, 2016
Corluka auditioning to become a Smurf? #CRO #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/SLDLDg3cBv
— Blake (@blake_1986) June 12, 2016
Corluka having a great match here #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/MrtC5xZbwZ
— Eddie Robson (@EddieRobson) June 12, 2016
Who wore it better? #TURCRO pic.twitter.com/YaQcAUr313
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 12, 2016
Corluka comes back onto the pitch… #warrior #Euro2016 #cro #TURCRO pic.twitter.com/0i8pP5HZoi
— Pedro Martiиs (@Pedge21) June 12, 2016
"If it bleeds, we can kill it," is apparently not true in regards to Corluka #TURCRO
— Ben Smith (@BenSmith94) June 12, 2016
Turkey's goalkeeper has been busier than his kit. #TURCRO
— Dan (@ThatConnArtist) June 12, 2016
Corluka has been an absolute warrior for Croatia today! #Euro2016
— John Hall ™ (@JohnHall1985) June 12, 2016
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