Classy Croatia takes a 4:1 lead to Greece

Croatia and Greece faced each other on six previous occasions, and the match No. 7 was played at a full-crowd Maksimir Stadium, as the first leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup play-offs. The Vatreni did an excellent job on the Road to Russia.

Zlatko Dalić's men could not wish for a better start, since Greece goalkeeper Karnezis fouled N. Kalinić in the box on 11 minutes. Croatia captain Modrić was calm to convert the penalty (1:0).

Six minutes later, Strinić sent a low cross to N. Kalinić, and his clever back-heel effort from close range was enough to beat Karnezis for the second time (2:0).

Croatia was looking for a third through Lovren and Perišić efforts, while Vida's last-minute intervention on 29 minutes resulted in a corner kick for Greece. Fortounis crossed for Papastathopoulos, who outjumped Croatia' defence and brought Greece back into the game.

The Vatreni, however, responded with another goal: on 33 minutes, Vrsaljko crossed from the right flank to find Ivan Perišić at the far post, and he headed it in (3:1). Despite further activities in front of Greek goal - Karnezis saving Kramarić and N. Kalinić efforts, Rakitić trying a long-distance shot - Croatia went on a break with a two-goal advantage.

This margin was increased at the beginning of the second half, when Vrsaljko and goalscorer Kramarić punished Greek defensive mistake (4:1).

The hosts went searching for the fifth goal, but Karnezis produced more quality saves to stop Kramarić and Rakitić, while Perišić missed two upcoming opportunities.

On the other side of the pitch, Mitroglou tried to beat Croatia's goalkeeper on three occasions, but Subašić was not surprised. His save on 90 minutes deserves a special mention.  

In the other play-off match of the evening, Switzerland won 1:0 in Northern Ireland, while the return leg of the Croatia - Greece encounter is scheduled in Piraeus, on Sunday, 12 November (kick-off 20:45 CET).

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