Gianluigi Buffon's error has allowed Croatia to level up their Euro 2016 qualifier with Italy at 1-1 after 45 minutes in the San Siro.

Croatia, who were installed as favourites before the game, began positively and only a combination of smart reactions from Buffon and poor finishing from Domagoj Vida prevented them from taking the lead in the seventh minute.

Against the run of play, the hosts went in front when Antonio Candreva drove a low shot into the far corner from 25 yards after Simone Zaza's initial shot was blocked.

Italy's lead lasted all of five minutes though, as Ivan Perisic's bobbling shot squirmed underneath the body of the usually reliable Buffon to make it 1-1.

The host's patchy opening half hour evidently left Antonio Conte unimpressed, as he sent on Roberto Soriano for the ineffectual Manuel Pasqual, while Croatia were also forced into a change as Luka Modric left the pitch with a muscle injury.

Buffon made another error on the stroke of half time, but his blushes were spared by Andrea Ranocchia, who cleared Ivica Olic's goalbound header off the line.