Birthday boy Modrić and young Kramarić strike to down Malta in Zagreb

Croatia passed its first home test on the path towards European championships 2016 in France. Stern Maltese resistance was broken at Maksimir Stadium with a 2:0 victory.

Niko Kovač's men had trouble finding their rhthym in the first half. Only Mario Mandžukić and Alen Halilović posed a serious threat for Maltese goalie Hogg, while Subašić had to intervene at the very beginning after a Schembri effort. The key moment of the first half happened after half an hour, when Borg was sent-off for a clash with Mandžukić.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

That opened up more space for Croatia, and Kovač reacted sending Nikica Jelavić on the pitch. His team did not have to wait much longer.

Only a minute in the second half, birthday boy Luka Modrić fired a long-ranged effort past Hogg to give Croatia the lead.

Croatia continued to attack, with Modrić, Halilović, Rakitić and Milić all coming close to scoring the second. In 74th minute, after coming off the bench, Andrej Kramarić hit the woodwork.

His first international goal was due seven minutes later, after a fine pass from Jelavić. Kramarić beat Hogg with a low strike, and Brozović and Kramarić failed to make it three in the final moments of the match.

This concluded a one-sided game where Croatia had 23 attempts, 16 corner kicks and 70 percent possession, and now awaits October, including away match in Bulgaria and another home match, against Azerbaijan in Osijek.

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