Real Madrid midfielder luka Modric scored a brilliant volley as Croatia defeated Turkey 1-0 in their Euro 2016 Group D opener on Sunday.
Ante Cacic’s Croatia dominated throughout, twice hitting the bar in the second half. But it only Modric’s 41st-minute strike — his 11th international goal — that separated the teams at the final whistle.
Victory gave Croatia revenge for their elimination on penalties by Turkey in the quarter-finals at Euro 2008, although they had previously beaten them in a qualifying play-off prior to Euro 2012.
Fatih Terim’s Turkey now have it all to do ahead of their meeting with defending champions Spain in Nice on Friday. Croatia can already go into their game against the Czech Republic with one eye on the last 16.
“We are definitely in the hardest group, with Spain, so it is a perfect start to get three points,” said Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
The talent in both line-ups had raised hopes of an open contest and it took Croatia less than two minutes to threaten. Ivan Rakitic flung himself at Darijo Srna’s cross and hooked a volley across goal.
Turkey’s only opportunity of note in the first half saw Ozan Tufan meet Gokhan Gonul’s right-wing cross with a downward header that was awkwardly fielded by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
Modric illuminated the game with his deft flicks and surefooted touches, and with half-time approaching he provided the breakthrough.
Selcuk Inan appeared to have cleared the danger by hooking the ball high to the edge of the Turkey box, but Modric watched it drop before spearing an emphatic, dipping volley past Babacan from 25 yards.
The replays did not make kind viewing for Babacan. There was embarrassment, too, for the tournament organisers as a fan ran on the pitch to embrace Modric and flares were let off in the Croatia end.
Marcelo Brozovic also threatened twice, volleying narrowly over and then just failing to make telling contact with a devilish cross from the hard-working Perisic, who later struck the bar with a glancing header.
The introduction of 18-year-old Emre Mor, the Denmark-born forward dubbed ‘The Turkish Messi’, drew roars of approval from Turkey’s fans.
Yet it was Croatia who came closest to scoring in the closing stages as Babacan tipped a header from Brozovic over the bar and then rushed out to thwart Perisic.
Poland beats N Ireland
Qualifying for a European Championship is one thing. Northern Ireland discovered Sunday that succeeding on European international football's biggest stage is another thing altogether.
Michael O'Neill's team made up largely of lower-league journeymen finished top of its qualifying group and came to Euro 2016 on a 12-match unbeaten run. But against a lackluster Poland side, Northern Ireland barely troubled Wojciech Szczesny's goal in a 1-0 defeat.
It wasn't until the 71st minute that substitute Conor Washington forced Szczesny into decisive action, outpacing defender Artur Jedrzejczyk but losing a race to the ball with the Roma goalkeeper. Kyle lafferty gave Northern Ireland fans at the Stade de Nice something to cheer in the 76th minute with an ambitious bicycle kick, but the effort sailed harmlessly wide.
Next up is a tough match against Ukraine, before finishing group play against world champion Germany.