Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Group B's crucial clash between Italy and Croatia at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan.
The Croats have become the surprise leaders of the group, sitting comfortably with maximum points following their 3-1 win over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, while Italy remain on edge in second spot with the same points as tournament holders Spain.
A victory tonight will secure Croatia's place in the quarter-finals of the elite competition, while a win for the Azzurri will ensure that Cesare Prandelli's side leapfrog their opponents to the top of the group - adding to their 1-1 draw with Spain at the weekend.
Please note that the match kicks off at 5pm.
18.56Right, that's all from me! I hope you enjoyed the clash and make sure you stay tuned for our coverage of Ireland's crucial match against Spain in an hour.
18.55Croatia continue to sit at the top of Group C with four points but the Croats haven't reached the quarter-finals just yet! That all depends on their final game against Spain.
18.54Pirlo's brilliance earned Italy the lead but a draw means that the Azzurri are expected to defeat Ireland in order to give themselves a chance of qualifying to the quarter-finals.
18.52Well, it's all over! Unfortunately the second half wasn't as thrilling as the first but Bilic's change in tactics were proved right after Mandzukic managed to grab the equaliser.
90+5 minFULL TIME: Italy 1-1 Croatia
90+4 minEduardo storms down the flank with hopes of clinching a late winner but the former Arsenal forward can't find the pass.
90+4 minNiko Kranjcar has come on for Mandzukic.
90+3 minMandzukic seeks medical treatment following an earlier challenge from Mondolivo. The Croats will be keeping their fingers crossed that there is no serious damage for their striker as he leaves the field.
90+2 minItaly receive a free kick in the dying minutes of the clash. Could the Azzurri end victorious here?
90+1 minNow Italy are trying to force through a winning goal as Pirlo dribbles the ball into the box but waits too long to take a shot and gets dispossessed.
90 minAnd we're going to have 5 minutes of added time following the smoke malarky from the flares.
89 minThe Croats are desperate to find a winner here as they hoof the ball into the box through Strinic but Buffon collects it easily.
89 minAnd Strinic wastes a chance as he charges from the left-hand side but the ball goes flying into the crowd.
87 minCroatia get a throw-in in the final third in these closing minutes of the 90 and Eduardo receives a cross into the box but the frontman fails to cause any danger with his head.
86 minItaly have a spell of possession and you get the impression that either side could find a winner at this stage.
85 minThe substitute Giovinco is involved once more as Schildenfeld is cautioned for nudging out the player on the wing but the free kick is wasted.
84 minItaly receive a corner after a swooping cross from Giovinco tests the keeper, but the corner comes to nothing.
82 minFormer Arsenal striker Eduardo comes on for Jelavic, while Cassano leaves the field in place of Sebastian Giovinco.
82 minCroatia look the more likely to score here. What a turnaround that would be!
80 minMandzukic is found in acres of space and launches a right side-footed pass to Jelavic, but the striker's return into the box is blocked.
79 minMontolivo gets a yellow card for appearing to elbow Mandzukic in the back of the hand while both players jumped for the ball.
78 minCroatia are on the attack again with Modric, who sneaked a quick pass to Jelavic, but the Everton frontman was bullied out by the Italy defence.
77 minMaggio was a fraction offside there after receiving a right-footed sweep from Cassano. Italy are responding well here!
75 minItaly's sub Montolivo tries a decent effort from outside the box but the shot was dipping, which allowed Pletikosa to save comfortably.
74 minBut we're back underway and Croatia tried to grab their second goal with a pass from Modric to Jelavic, who was caught offside.
74 minPlay is disrupted slightly after smoke from flares in the crowd filter on to the pitch.
72 minWe knew it was coming! Strinic launches a precise right-footed cross into the box which Mandzukic controls perfectly with his right foot which allows him to hammer into the near post of the net.
71 minGOAL! Italy 1-1 Croatia (Mandzukic)
70 minCroatia are enjoying a spell of possession in midfield, spreading the play and trying to force a threat with 20 minutes left to go.
69 minNow it's time for Mr 'Why Always Me?' to leave the field for Antonio Di Natale, who netted the equaliser against Spain at the weekend. Could the striker get a vital goal again?
68 minIt's getting a bit flat at the moment if I'm honest. Neither side have had a spell of dominance yet.
67 minBilic makes his first substitution with Perisic leaving the field for Danjel Pranjic.
65 minAround 25 minutes left to go here and neither side have troubled the goal as yet.
64 minMaggio is calling for a free kick after running at the defence alongside Strinic but Webb decides to play on.
62 minThe first substitution is made and it's Italy's Motta who makes way for Montolivo. Could be due to the head injury or Prandelli is concerned over Motta getting sent off following his first yellow card offence.
61 minPirlo finds some space in midfield but a through ball to Cassano fizzles out as the striker fails to keep hold of it.
60 minAs play resumes, Balotelli takes the ball inside for a right-footed shot, which sails just over the bar.
59 minMotta is found on the floor clutching his head as replays show that Srna's initial jump for the ball included an elbow to Motta's head.
58 minCroatia continue the attack with Srna lofting a right-footed ball into the box trying to find Modric but an incident off the ball stops the game.
58 minChiellini warned by Webb there for time wasting. A Italy feeling the pressure from Croatia perhaps?
57 minCroatia have made an improvement from their first half display as they try to close down the Italians and press harder in midfield.
56 minThe first yellow card has been dealt to Motta, who was penalised for a scuffle with Jelavic in the box while awaiting a corner.
54 minBit of trouble here, a flare has been thrown onto the pitch from the Croatia end, which prompts Vukojevic and Perisic to express their annoyance to the fans.
53 minItaly is on the attack but Maggio is flagged offside from a lofting pass from Pirlo, who is again dominating the midfield in this second half.
49 minMeanwhile, Balotelli receives a free kick for Italy after Vukojevic comes from behind with a challenge.
49 minMeanwhile, Balotelli receives a free kick for Italy after a Vukojevic comes from behind with a challenge.
49 minLooks like Bilic has positioned the Spurs playmaker just behind the front two as Croatia try to get back into this game.
48 minAnd it's Croatia's number 10 again, who surges from midfield and executes a rising shot, which ends up in the crowd.
46 minModric has begun pressing early as he draws the ball into the middle for a shot on goal but it is picked up easily by Buffon.
45 minMandzukic attempts the first attack of the game with a right-footed flick into the penalty area but nobody gets on the end of it and the ball trickles to Buffon.
45 minAnd we're off! Croatia get the second half underway with no changes made from either side.
18.00The players have returned to the field following their respective half-time team talks. Hope you're all ready for some more action!
17.57Switching our attentions back to the Municipal Stadium - the second half is due to get underway in five.
17.56Ireland need to get at least a point against the tournament holders tonight otherwise they are out of the competition.
17.55Just a reminder that Ireland's second-round clash against Spain gets underway after this game, which you can keep track of with Sports Mole.
17.52On a side note - Bilic is not wearing the beanie hat he donned for Croatia's thrashing of Ireland on Sunday. Maybe he should pop it back on for luck?
17.49But Jelavic and Mandzukic have proved that when they get the service they can cause trouble, so I wouldn't write them off just yet!
17.48So, what do Croatia need to do now? Bilic's side need to press more in the second half. Despite a spell of possession in midfield in the early stages of the match, the Croats have rarely seen the ball.
17.47Well, I think it would be hard to argue that Italy don't deserve the lead at the break. A stunning free kick from Pirlo is the only thing that separates the two but the Azzurri have dominated the clash so far.
45+1 minHALF TIME: Italy 1-0 Croatia
45+1 minRakitic shows a burst pf pace from midfield but again, Buffon is not troubled and Italy regain possession.
43 minCroatia trying to gain some possession in the closing minutes of the first half but Italy win back the ball, which flattens any chance of Bilic's side from launching an attack.
42 minAnd Italy almost make it two from a Pirlo corner. Cassano managed to get a head on the ball at the near post but the attempt went just wide.
41 minPirlo is taking control of the midfield following his goal as Italy try to double their lead before the break.
40 minPletikosa dived the right way for the ball but the dipping shot was too much for the keeper to deal with.
38 minA fantastic free kick from Pirlo gives Italy the breakthrough - The midfielder's exquisite shot lifted over the wall and right into the right-hand corner of the net.
38 minGOAL! Italy 1-0 Croatia (Pirlo)
37 minPletikosa makes a vital double save! Italy seemed destined to get the first goal after Marchisio sneaked behind the defender to take a shot, which came off the goalkeeper for another strike but Pletikosa had it covered.
34 minWebb gives Croatia a free kick after a collision involving Cassano and Vukojevic but on replay it shows that Vukojevic clashed with his own teammate Corluka! Poor decision.
33 minAnother wayward shot from Balotelli but a block from Strinic prevents the forward's path.
32 minFluid play from Italy there with Bonucci taking a first-time flick into the box to play in Cassano but a right-footed shot goes wide.
31 minA right scuffle in the Croatia penalty area there - Cassano tried to play Balotelli into the box but the frontman should have had a shot himself.
30 minMandzukic tried to find his strike partner Jelavic with a sweeping through ball but the Italian defenders see off the danger.
30 minThe Croats are trying to regain some composure by knocking it around the back four.
29 minImpressive play from Cassano, who drifts through the Croatia defence to try and set up Maggio but the ball goes missing.
29 minSome nice footwork from Balotelli on the edge of Croatia's penalty area to play in Marchisio in the middle, but the midfielder shoots wide.
26 minQuite disappointing from Croatia there - Maggio gives away a corner but yet again Buffon is not threatened.
25 minEmanuele Giaccherini gives a needless free kick away in a dangerous area, just on the edge of the penalty area.
24 minBut Italy are holding firm at the back as they try to clinch the first goal.
23 minThe Tottenham Hotspur playmaker looks like he is coming into his own here and we all know Modric can cause some damage.
23 minA fantastic through ball from Modric gives Mario Mandzukic the chance to surge forward from the right but the cross is comfortably captured by Buffon
22 minMaggio commits a sliding tackle on Perisic but no damage done and Webb is yet to issue any cautions in this match.
21 minYou get the impression that if Croatia manage to penetrate Italy's defence, a goal is very much on the cards here!
20 minAnd Jelavic almost opens the scoring with an executed pass from the wings courtesy of Rakitic but the Everton frontman misses the target.
18 minJelavic is trying to get a penalty there after getting a slight nudge from Chiellini but Webb waves it off.
17 minPirlo searches for Motta from the corner flag but no chances come to fruition and Croatia get a free kick after Motta handles the ball.
17 minA determined run from Balotelli earns Italy a corner as they continue the attack on their Croat opponents.
16 minDe Rossi looks for Balotelli with a diagonal ball but the Man City frontman fails to control it with his chest, but the striker looks sharp, which is a far cry from his performance against Spain.
14 minIt's end to end here! Just as Croatia tried to force the first goal of the match, Balotelli has another shot at goal but it falls right into the hands of Stipe Pletikosa.
13 minSuperb ball from Andre Pirlo into the box but nobody was able to take advantage.
12 minAnd Italy start their attack from the back once again but Antonio Cassano loses possession and gifts the ball to the Croats, who fail to commence an attack.
11 minItaly have had the best chances of the game so far, with the Azzurri defence able to keep Croatia out of the final third so far.
10 minA great counter attack from Italy there, as Thiago Motta tries a power shot to the top left-hand side of the goal following a chance, which was scuffed by Balotelli.
8 minThe play seems to be going end to end at the moment with both sides determined to find the breakthrough.
8 minChristian Maggio storms into the penalty area but has the ball swiftly taken off him and is forced away by Modric.
6 minAn awkward clearance from Ivan Perisic gives Italy the first corner of the game, which comes to nothing...
5 minCroatia beginning to get some possession in the final third but an effort from Nikica Jelavic fails to test Buffon in goal.
3 minThe Azzuri get the first free kick of the game as Giorgio Chiellini is kicked at in his own half.
2 minItaly start the first attack of the match. Balotelli looks sharp after taking a neat touch in the box and swift turn to take a shot at goal but it goes wide.
1 minBoth sides trying to find their feet in these early stages. Modric just gave the ball away with a lofty pass.
1 minIt's game on! Italy get the game underway for us in Poznan
16.56A stern face from Mr Balotelli there during the Italian anthem. The Azzurri fans will be hoping that the striker is on form tonight, that's for sure.
16.54A huge national flag is lifted over the Croatian fans. Must say the players looked a bit miserable singing that. Maybe they're just focused...
16.54And here are the anthems! Croatia go first.
16.53Many suggested that Bilic would choose to drop one of his strikers to add an extra man in midfield but it seems that the Croatia coach is confident that his side can do a job without it.
16.48Just under 10 minutes to go now and the Municipal Stadium looks packed. Lots of people in white outfits seem to be doing some sort of dance performance on the pitch. I'm not here to judge.
16.47Interestingly, Croatia have not lost to Italy since 1991. Could that record be broken tonight?
16.45Modric was arguably Croatia's best player against Ireland on Sunday. Bilic will be hoping that the playmaker can produce a similar performance tonight.
16.43Love him or loathe him, Balotelli has the capabilities of putting in a good shift for Italy tonight. Although, as we're well aware, it will all depend on the 21-year-old's mood.
16.42...But at 34 years of age, Di Natale may be used better as an impact player from the bench rather than complete the full 90 minutes.
16.41There was talk that Prandelli was going to opt for Antonio Di Natale over Balotelli following the Manchester City striker's dismal performance...
16.40Croatia's Niko Kranjcar and Luka Modric also face the same fate in their last group clash against Spain if they pick up yellow cards this afternoon.
16.38Worth keeping in mind that four of Italy's players could miss the Azzurri's final group game against Ireland. Mario Balotelli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Christian Maggio are all one yellow card away from a suspension.
16.36You might be interested to know that our very own Howard Webb is refereeing this encounter! He also took charge of Russia's 4-1 win over the Czech Republic, if you remember.
16.34So what do we think then? This game has all the makings of free-flowing football from both sides. The Croats will be determined to clinch the first quarter-final spot, while Italy will be buoyed from their 1-1 draw with tournament favourites Spain.
16.33Croatia: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Vukojevic, Rakitic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic, Jelavic
16.31Italy: Buffon; Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini; Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, Thiago Motta, Giaccherini; Cassano, Balotelli
16.30Let's start with the team news then. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has named an unchanged side, which means that a certain Mr 'Why Always Me?' starts up front, while Slaven Bilic has also put his trust in the same XI that defeated the Republic of Ireland.
16.28Afternoon all! We hopefully have another cracking match for you this afternoon, with Croatia able to become the first team through to the quarter-finals with a victory over Italy.
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