Wales Suffer World Cup Loss in Croatia

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Wales' World Cup qualifying hopes took another blow after a defensive mix-up set Croatia on their way to victory.

Croatia led when Mario Mandzukic charged down Lewis Price's kick, after Ashley Williams' underhit back-pass put the Wales goalkeeper under pressure.

Eduardo Da Silva doubled the lead from a yard after a rebound fell kindly.

Gareth Bale almost claimed a late consolation only to see Stipe Pletikosa save well, as Wales lost more ground in Group A.

Wales had arrived in Osijek with their confidence buoyed by Friday's 2-1 win over Scotland in Cardiff.

Two goals from Bale, magnificent that night, had seen Wales come from behind and earn their first World Cup qualifying points after defeats to Belgium and Serbia.

That success also ended a six-game losing run and handed Chris Coleman his first success since taking over as Wales manager.

But despite the upturn in fortunes, the challenge facing Wales at the Gradski Stadium was a daunting one against a Croatia side unbeaten in this campaign - fresh from a 2-1 win in Macedonia - and battling it out with Belgium for control of Group A.

Added to that was Croatia's incredible home record, having lost just once - to England in September 2008 - in 46 qualifying matches.

Coleman also arrived in Croatia without key Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, suspended after his booking against Scotland, and with a squad that was already threadbare through injuries and bans.

Leicester's Andy King stepped into the starting line-up, while Celtic full-back Adam Matthews had recovered sufficiently from an ankle problem to be inclduded among the substitutes.

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This was the first competitive match between Wales and Croatia, with the sides having played just two previous friendlies - a 1-1 draw in Varazdin in 2002 and a 2-0 win for Croatia in Osijek in 2010.

Croatia, in contrast, had strength in depth enough to leave in-form Everton striker Nikica Jelavic on the bench, prefering former Arsenal forward Eduardo - now at Shakhtar Donetsk - to lead the line.

Darijo Srna was the first to threaten the Wales goal, curling a free-kick past the defensive wall that had goalkeeper Lewis Price plunging low to his left to turn the ball around the post.

After Bale's match-winning display against the Scots the winger was carefully watched by the Croat rearguard.

Instead it was his former Tottenham team-mate among the Croatia line-up, Real Madrid's Luka Modric, who was starting to run the game.

The little midfielder had a penalty claim turned away by referee Alexandru Dan Tudor, after Darcy Blake bumped Modric on his shoulder, then sent a strong left-foot shot into Price's midriff.

A Mandzukic volley was also beaten away by Price before a horrendous defensive blunder gifted Croatia the lead.

Captain Williams hit a weak back-pass - albeit not helped by a puddle of mud - that put Price under pressure, which the Crystal Palace keeper compounded by hitting his clearance into the pressurising Mandzukic.

The rebound fell nicely for the Bayern Munich attacker who gleefully side-footed the ball into the net.

If that was the bad side of the third-choice Wales goalkeeper, playing because of injuries to Wayne Hennessey and Boaz Myhill, his good reactions soon after to deny Eduardo at point-blank range kept his side in the game.

Wales' goal threat in a one-sided first half was sporadic, with the best chance a Bale free-kick fisted away by Pletikosa after Dejan Lovren had shunted clumsily into the Spurs man.

A Modric back-heel opened up the Wales defence soon after half-time and only Williams' alertness diverted Ivan Perisic's shot over the bar.

Price again saved Wales when Mandzukic seized on a long ball over the top, but from the resulting corner the home side doubled their lead.

Ivan Perisic's free header was well parried by Price but the prone keeper could do nothing as Eduardo pounced on the rebound to stab home.

Wales' last trip to the region in September had ended in a 6-1 thrashing by Serbia and the waves of Croatian attacks threatened to swamp Coleman's side once more.

The Wales boss sent on Simon Church for the ineffectual Steve Morison, who had had little in the way of service to feed off, and soon added a second striker in Sam Vokes - sacrificing King and his five-man midfield.

But the positive move merely gave Croatia more space to work in and Eduardo was unlucky not to grab his second goal with a header that crashed off the crossbar.

Bale, in brilliant solo mode once again, nearly set up a grandstand finish as he ran half the length of the field and nearly forced his shot under Pletikosa, then saw the Rostov keeper save a well-struck free-kick.

Wales now have until next March to lick their wounds before what promises to be a spicy return match against Scotland.

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Jesus Saves Spain in Gdansk

Croatia bowed out of Euro 2012 as Spain secured their place in the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 victory on a nervy night in Gdansk.

Italy's victory over Republic of Ireland in Monday evening's other Group C match put the future participation of both these teams in doubt and there was uncertainty right until the final whistle, but ultimately Jesus Navas' 88th minute winner proved the difference.

Spain produced a superb performance to dismantle Republic of Ireland in their previous match, but found Croatia much tougher to break down, with Slaven Bilic's well-organised side repelling every attack in the first half with relative comfort.

However, Vicente del Bosque's men knew that a draw would guarantee progression to the last eight and the onus was on Croatia to win the match, so they had no choice but to throw more men forward after the interval.

They carved out a glorious opportunity just before the hour mark when Luka Modric picked out Ivan Rakitic at the back post with a sublime cross, but the unmarked midfielder was denied by Iker Casillas' point-blank save.

Croatia continued to look dangerous on the break in a tense finale, but Spain's ability to control possession allowed them to hang on and they sealed top spot in Group C when Navas tapped in from Andres Iniesta's pass two minutes from time.

In a poor first period, Fernando Torres came closest to breaking the deadlock when he brought a good save out of Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa in the 23rd minute.

Although Spain dominated most of the early possession, chances were at a premium, with Jordi Alba blazing wide and Iniesta poking a shot goalwards where it was saved by Pletikosa.

Torres skipped past Gordon Schildenfeld in the 23rd minute before firing straight at the goalkeeper from a tight angle, then moments later Sergio Ramos drilled a long-range effort which Pletikosa held.

But after Gerard Pique shot over the bar, Croatia replied with some pressure of their own, Danijel Pranjic shooting low at Iker Casillas and Mario Mandzukic blazing over the bar from just inside the box.

Croatia had a loud penalty appeal turned down in the 27th minute when Mandzukic's charge down the right flank was brought to an end by a crashing challenge from Ramos on the edge of the box, but referee Wolfgang Stark waved Croatian appeals away.

Knowing they were likely to need a goal to give them a chance of reaching the last eight, Croatia made a brighter start to the second half with a dangerous corner from Rakitic punched away by Casillas.

Iniesta almost threaded a ball through to Torres in the 52nd minute, but Croatia were still brighter, and Mandzukic was clearly showing no ill effects from his first-half knock as he stretched the Spanish defence.

And Croatia came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 59th minute when Modric beat Ramos on the right and crossed into the box where Rakitic's low header was brilliantly saved at point-blank range by Casillas.

Perhaps shaken by the near-miss, Del Bosque responded by replacing the ineffective Torres with winger Navas, as his side sought desperately to regain control of the game.

But Croatia came close again in the 69th minute when two of their substitutes combined, Ivan Perisic finding space on the left to loft a cross which floated inches too high for Nikica Jelavic in front of goal.

Del Bosque introduced Cesc Fabregas who failed to get his shot off in a crowded box in the 78th minute, then Sergio Busquets missed a glorious chance with 10 minutes to go when he hesitated in the box and was dispossessed by Croatia captain Darijo Srna.

Fabregas was having a major influence in calming Spanish nerves and he made the crucial move in the 88th minute when he lobbed Pletikosa to send Iniesta clear, and he squared for substitute Navas to tap home the simplest of chances.

Croatia v Spain - Preview - Group C

Croatia meet defending champions Spain for the first time in a major competition on Monday night with both sides sitting top of Group C, but neither yet guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

The two sides are level on four points at the top of their pool, two points clear of Italy, who face the already-eliminated Republic of Ireland in Monday's other group game.

A draw could be enough to send both teams through to the final eight even if the Azzurri win, depending on the scoreline at the PGE Arena in Gdansk.

But world and European champions Spain are unlikely to be satisfied sharing the spoils, particularly after their dominant 4-0 victory over the Irish last time out, which knocked Giovanni Trapattoni's men out of contention.

Croatia's second group game ended in a 1-1 draw after Mario Mandzukic scored a crucial equaliser against the Italians.

Spain midfielder Xavi is expecting a very open game of football in Gdansk as Vicente del Bosque's men look to take a step closer to defending their crown.

"I think it is going to be a beautiful game for the fans and for the players," the Barcelona midfielder said. "They will have to go all out and so will we.

"We depend on ourselves to qualify and we will try to win and be first of our group.

"However, Croatia are very good, they have a fantastic team, with great individual talent.

"I don't expect an easy game."

There are fears amongst Italian fans that the encounter could end in a 2-2 draw, a result that would see Croatia join Spain in the next round at the expense of the Azzurri.

"Absolutely not," Xavi said. "We only know how to play attacking football so a draw would not suit us.

"We will go out determined to hold possession, to move the ball and to go forward. This is our style of game and the one that made us European and world champions.

"Our aim is always to go out for victory and against Croatia it will be no exception. We will play to get three points from the first minute until the last."

Coach Slaven Bilic knows the Croats, who beat Ireland before holding Italy to a draw, will have to step up their game against the holders.

"We will need to play the best game of our lives," said Bilic, whose side hope to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the second straight time.

"We must be concentrated for 90 minutes.

"We have to work as a team and we are going to have to take our chances."

Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric will play in support of striker Mario Mandzukic, who is the joint-top scorer in the competition with three goals.

Spain will be at full strength with midfielder Sergio Busquets having recovered from a minor foot injury.

Fernando Torres is set to lead Spain's attack for the second consecutive game with the Chelsea striker having scored twice against Ireland.

Modric Targets Republic for Croatia Win

Photo: UEFA

Luka Modric thinks Croatia's game with the Republic of Ireland is "their most important in the group" at Euro 2012.

Both countries qualified via the play-offs and are competing with Italy and world and European champions Spain for a spot in the knockout stage.

"If we win it, then I believe we will reach the next phase. I believe we will play at our best and defeat Ireland," the Tottenham midfielder said.

"I even think we could go all the way to the end and win the tournament."

Croatia reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2008 but lost on penalties to Turkey having taken the lead with just one minute of extra time remaining before conceding an equaliser.

Niko Kranjcar, who sealed a switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Dynamo Kiev this week, said his team had learnt their lesson from that disappointment.

"If a similar situation to the Turkey game comes around then that scenario is not going to repeat itself," he said.

"The reason we lost to Turkey was a lack of experience. Now we are at our peak and we are more experienced."