Fútbol Americano
2016 Eurocopa, Fase de grupos
TUR 
0
ESPNDP/ESPN3
Finalizado
 CRO
1
ESPN staff 8y

Luka Modric stunner leads Croatia to victory against Turkey

Croatia made a convincing start to their Euro 2016 campaign, despite only beating Turkey 1-0 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Luka Modric scored the decisive goal in the 41st minute when he volleyed a half cleared cross past Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Babacan from 25-yards out.

Croatia enjoyed the better chances before Modric's goal with Ivan Rakitic coming close to converting a Dario Srna cross after two minutes, while Mario Mandzukic and Marcelo Brozovic also wasted good opportunities for Ante Cacic's side.

There were some full-blooded challenges too with Modric on the receiving end of one and Croatia defender Vedran Corluka forced to leave the field to have his head bandaged following a clash with Cenk Tosun.

On 29 minutes Ozan Tufan's header presented Turkey with a real chance to open the scoring but the midfielder's effort was directed straight at Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Then, with half time approaching, Modric struck to separate the sides before the break and make Turkey pay for the chances they had allowed Croatia.

In the 52nd minute a Dario Srna free kick from 20-yards out struck the top of the crossbar and two minutes later the Shakhtar Donetsk man was presented with a second chance to double Croatia's lead when Babacan could only parry Ivan Perisic's cross into his path, but he snatched at his shot and fired wide from close range.

At this point Croatia were in complete control of proceedings, and on the hour Mandzukic won a knockdown in the penalty area allowing Brozovic to control with his chest before shooting wildly over the bar.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim attempted to instigate a fightback by substituting his captain, midfielder Arda Turan, for striker Burak Yilmaz but soon after another Perisic cross from the left wing almost finished in a goal with Brozovic inches away from sliding home.

Borussia Dortmund new boy Emre Mor was also introduced to proceedings by Terim, in place of Tosun but Turkey were reduced to shots from long range, with Hakan Calhanoglu dragging an effort wide after finding space 30 yards out.

Croatia responded by rattling the crossbar courtesy of a Perisic header that had Babacan beaten before the goalkeeper was forced to tip another header from Brozovic over as the final 10 minutes approached.

Late on Croatia left-back Ivan Strinic dragged down Volkan Sen on the edge of the box giving Turkey a rare chance to have a clear sight of goal but Caner Erkin's powerful effort was saved with ease by Subasic.

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