Italy defeats Norway
Croatia wins at Malta, qualifies for EURO 2016!
13.10.2015.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
In its final encounter in EURO 2016 qualifying Group H, Croatia visited Malta and won with an Ivan Perišić's goal, securing the final tournament berth!
MALTA - CROATIA 0:1 (0:1)
EURO 2016 qualifier, Group H.
National Stadium, Ta' Qali.
Referee: M. Clattenburg (England)
Goals: 0:1 - Perišić (25')
Yellow cards: Badelj (39'), Failla (69'), Perišić (90+2')
Malta: . Head coach: P. Ghedin.
Croatia: Subašić, Srna, Ćorluka, Vida, Pivarić, Badelj, Kovačić, Perišić, Rakitić (77' Brozović), Pjaca (83' Olić), N. Kalinić (60' Kramarić). Head coach: A. Čačić.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia national football team will be among the best European nations in France 2016! Ante Čačić's men beat Malta 1:0 away on Tuesday and skipped Norway to take second place in Group H.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
As expected, Croatia put the pressure on the host nation after finding its rhythm in the opening minutes, with Nikola Kalinić and Ivan Perišić failing the convert the first opportunities.
Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg had to pick up the ball from the back of the net in 25th minute, when the cross from the right hand side reached Perišić, who struck it first-time, and scored with a small deflection.
Vatreni could have scored more before half-time, but Perišić and Marko Pjaca fired over the bar on two occasions.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In the second half, Croatia managed to hold the advantage, with Pjaca, Perišić and Kramarić all coming close to scoring another, while Danijel Subašić kept a cool head during a couple of interventions of his own.
Croatian players celebrate qualification for @UEFAEURO! Congratulations boys!!! #BeProud #BudiPonosan #Croatia pic.twitter.com/VtV04zNhTb
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) October 13, 2015
In the remaining two matches, Italy defeated Norway 2:1 to stay the top of the group, while Bulgaria beat Azerbaijan at home 2:0. Norway will enter the play-offs.
Captain @SrnaDarijo leads the celebration in Croatian dressing room after booking a place at @UEFAEURO. #BeProud pic.twitter.com/uakoRIp7xe
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) October 13, 2015
Group H:
1. Italy 24
2. Croatia 20
3. Norway 19
4. Bulgaria 11
5. Azerbaijan 6
6. Malta 2
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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