SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 11 hrs 32 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
IN
European Championship | Qualifiers
Nov 16, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
CN

1-1

Candreva (11')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Perisic (15')

Italy, Croatia tied at top of Group H following draw

:Headline: Result: Italy, Croatia tied at top of Group H following draw: ID:188631: from db_amp
Italy and Croatia both have to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2016 qualifier which leaves them level at the top of Group H.

Gianluigi Buffon's first-half mistake gifted Croatia a 1-1 draw away at Italy in their Euro 2016 qualifier to leave the sides level at the top of Group H.

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.

Danijel Subasic made his first real save of the game three minutes into the second half when he pushed away a powerful drive by Zaza.

Much like the first half, Croatia dominated the majority of play without creating many clear-cut chances, and Italy seemed content to hit them on the break.

Conte threw on Stephan El Shaarawy in search of a winner and the change almost paid dividends as the diminutive attacker stepped inside from the left wing and thumped a powerful strike just over the frame of Subasic's goal.

The game was then halted for 10 minutes after Croatian fans threw flares onto the pitch for the second time in the match.

When play resumed, Italy began to dominate the game, but they were lucky to see Perisic's late strike fall inches wide of the far post as both sides had to settle for a point.

amp_article__188631 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-11-17 17:46:42:
html db last update - 2014-11-17 17:46:42 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .