Mandžukić hat-trick
Efficient Croatia cruises at Kosovo, scores six
06.10.2016.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia national football team visited the Albanian city of Shkoder to play Kosovo in the second round of 2018 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers.
KOSOVO - CROATIA 0:6 (0:3)
2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Group I.
Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania.
Referee: D. Fernandez Borbalan (Spain)
Goals: 0:1 - Mandžukić (6'), 0:2 - Mandžukić (24'), 0:3 - Mandžukić (35'), 0:4 - Mitrović (68'), 0:5 - Perišić (83'), 0:6 - N. Kalinić (90+2')
Cautions: B. Berisha (18')
Kosovo: Ujkani, Perdedaj, Pnishi, Pepa, Paqarada, Kryeziu, V. Berisha, Rashica, Zeneli (77' Shala), B. Berisha (58' Halimi), Celina (68' Bunjaku). Head coach: A. Bunjaku.
Croatia: Subašić, Pivarić, Vida, Ćorluka (46' Mitrović), Vrsaljko, Badelj, Kovačić, Brozović, Perišić, Kramarić (71' Rog), Mandžukić (59' N. Kalinić). Head coach: A. Čačić.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia has started its qualifying campaign with a Zagreb draw against Turkey (1:1), while the first victory was recorded on Thursday, away at Kosovo, despite Modrić, Rakitić, Lovren, and Pjaca missing out due to injuries.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
The Vatreni took the lead after just six minutes, when Kramarić found Mandžukić, and Juventus striker did not make a mistake beating Ujkani. In 24th minute, Mandžukić doubled this lead scoring with his shoulder following Perišić's cross from the left.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Ten minutes before the break, Mandžukić completed his hat-trick with a header, Vrsaljko this time assisting from the right. Mandžukić had two more great opportunities in the first half, while Subašić made two excellent saves from Celina and Zemeli.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia's fourth goal was scored by young defender Mitrović, a half-time substitute for Ćorluka, at Brozović's assist and a good reaction at the far post.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Perišić made it 5:0 with a cool finish following Brozović through ball in 83rd minute, while Nikola Kalinić wrapped things up in the final seconds of the match, scoring at Kovačić's assist with a low show from the edge of the box.
Ante Čačić's men leave for Tampere on Friday, where they will face hosts Finland on Sunday.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Finland lost to Iceland 3:2, throwing away 2:1 lead, while Turkey came back from two goals down to draw with Ukraine 2:2.
Group I:
1. Croatia 4
2. Iceland 4
3. Turkey 2
4. Ukraine 2
5. Finland 1
6. Kosovo 1
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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