A Luka Modric wonderstrike proved to be the difference as Croatia claimed a 1-0 victory over Turkey in Paris on Sunday.
In a scrappy affair, both sides threw their weight around and looked to impose their mark on the game and their opponents themselves. The bruising first half made for patchy viewing, with little in the way of chances, and looked to be heading to half time goalless.
Enter Modric. With one swing of his boot, the little maestro capitalised on a half clearance to fire home a beautiful volley from 25 yards to give Croatia the lead at half time.
As Turkey chased the game in the second half, it allowed Croatia to play on the break and they constantly opened up their oppoenents. Darijo Srna hit the bar with a free kick, before he wasted a great chance minutes later. Even as Turkey threw men forward Perisic hit the bar with a close-range header and Brozovic had an effort tipped just over.
However, despite a late rally from Turkey, Croatia were able to ride out the game and claim a vital three points.
Turkey
Volkan Babacan – 6: Made a couple of easy saves from Mandzukic, but will feel he could have done better with Modric’s goal.
Gokhan Gonul – 6: Faced a tough opponent in Perisic, and was worn down as the game progressed. Should have had an assist for his first half cross which Ozan could not head home.
Mehmet Topul – 7: Dealt with the aerial threat posed by Croatia’s crossing well and refused to let Mandzukic have even the smallest of space.
Hakan Balta – 7: Like his defensive partner, won the majority of his headers as Croatia went for the aerial route. A strong game, he can be proud of his efforts.
Caner Erkin – 7: Tenacious as always, battled hard and did his best to limit Srna’s crosses, but constantly found himself outnumbered on the wing. Got forward well in the second half as Turkey chased the game.
Ozan Tufan – 6: Found himself among the action early when his strong challenge on Modric led to much anger from the opposition, but was otherwise quiet. Missed a gilt-edged chance from a free header midway through the first half.
Selkuk Inan- 5: Inconspicuous for the most part, found it hard to get involved and was a spectator for the most part.
Oguzhan Ozyakup – 6: Had some nice touches, but was well muzzled for the most part by Badelj and removed at half time.
Arda Turan – 6: Turkey’s captain was uncharacteristically quiet; a hunted man from the first minute, he worked hard but was unable to break the shackles of his numerous markers.
Cenk Tosun – 6: Put himself about in a (very) physical battle with Croatia’s big centre-halves, but his main contribution to the game was drawing blood from Vedran Corluka. Unable to get away from the two defender’s presence.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 6: Got involved early and showed some nice touches, but struggled to exert any real influence on the game.
Substitutes
Volkan Sen- 7: Came on at half time and had a volley stopped by his teammate almost immediately. His skilfulness opened up space for himself and his speed worried Croatia on a couple of occasions, although could have easily had two yellow cards.
Burak Yilmaz – 5: Was unable to really make an impact off the bench.
Emre Mor – 6: Was expected to add some much needed guile off the bench, but failed to get really find his feet. Showed some glimpses of his talent.
Croatia
Danijel Subasic – 7: Had little to do, bar the odd save here and there. Made some strong claims from crosses.
Darijo Srna- 7: Was more involved going forward than defensively, where he was barely troubled. Kept finding time and space to whip in crosses, before hitting the bar with a wicked free kick and then snatching at a great chance to double Croatia’s lead.
Vedran Corluka – 8: Fought with the physical Cenk and despite copping a stray elbow from his opponent, was otherwise able to contain him. Uncompromising and tough, refused to give Cenk an inch and played the whole game despite an open cut on his head.
Domagoj Vida – 7: Alongside Corluka, blanketed Cenk and never let him get into the game. His partnership with Corluka was critical to the win.
Ivan Strinic – 7: Was barely tested at left back in the first half, although he did find himself under the pump in the second. Acquitted himself well going forward, with some nice linkup play.
Luka Modric – 7: Pulled the strings like a puppet master in midfield, dictated play and then only went and unleashed a sublime long-range volley which will be a contender for goal of the tournament.
Milan Badelj – 7: Did a superb job of limiting Ozyakup’s influence in the first half, and allowed Modric to be more creative by sitting deeper.
Marcelo Brozovic – 7: Always looked to cut inside and open up space for Srna, while also linking with Mandzukic and Modric.
Ivan Rakitic – 7: Lively early and his movement constantly posed problems, both with and without the ball.
Ivan Perisic – 8: Man of the match. Whipped in a couple of decent crosses and like Brozovic, liked to cut inside to bring his team mates into the game more. Became the danger man in the second half, always running at the defence and was Croatia’s most creative outlet.
Mario Mandzukic – 6: Worked hard, but found himself closely guarded by the defence wherever he went. Had two half chances which he had to take quickly.
Substitutes:
Andrej Kramaric – N/A: Introduced late.
Gordon Schildenfeld – N/A: Helped close things out.
Marko Pjaca – N/A: Like Kramaric, was brought on with little time remaining.
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