Croatia edge Turkey

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Croatia overcame Turkey 1-0 in the opening fixture of Group D on Sunday as both sides looked to lay down an early marker in Euro 2016. 

Both Turkey and Croatia were at full strength going into the fixture.

The two famously faced-off back in the 2008 quarter-finals, with Turkey going on to win on penalties after snatching a last-ditch equaliser.

Croatia got some measure of revenge when they beat the Turks 3-0 in qualification back in 2012, but with either side yet to make a significant impact in the tournament, a positive result looked crucial for setting the right tone for the tournament.

Croatia almost got off to a dream start as Ivan Rakatic came close to jabbing home a cross after two minutes. Turkey’s first chance came the way of Ozan Tufan in the 13th minute, but his effort from range was tame.

Milan Badelj had the next chance as he cracked a volley straight at Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Babacan, before Turkey came close through Tufan just a minute later.

Mario Mandzukic then took a shot on the turn in the 39th minute, but it was comfortably saved. However, just two minutes later, Luka Modric struck home a spectacular effort from range. It proved the last significant action of the half.

Turkey started the second-half with purpose, but it was Croatia who came close to doubling their lead as Darijo Srna struck the crossbar with a free kick after 52 minutes. Srna then wasted a glorious chance just a couple of minutes later as he fired wide.

Marcelo Brozović came close with a volley 61 minutes in, before Ivan Perišić hit the crossbar with a header 10 minutes later. Perišić was then denied yet again in the 83rd having been played in by Rakatic.

That was how the scores remained, with Croatia running out 1-0 winners.

Image: Uefa Website