The Republic of Ireland's Group C opener against Croatia on Sunday night was their first appearance in a European Championship for 24 years.

While it was a cause for celebration in some respects, a sound 3-1 defeat by Slaven Bilic's side saw the team brought back down to earth with a bump.

Sports Mole takes a look at the match from the Municipal Stadium in Poznan.

Ireland Statistics:
Shots 13
On target 5
Possession 45%
Corners 1
Fouls 12

Croatia Statistics:
Shots 14
On target 8
Possession 55%
Corners 7
Fouls 18

Was the result fair?

Despite Ireland's tireless running, Croatia had that extra bit of magic to earn them a deserved three points.

Ireland's performance

There were plenty of solid displays across the board for Giovanni Trapattoni's side, but they ran out of ideas in the final third. They'll also need to shore up at the back when they take on Spain and Italy.

Croatia's performance

Steel and skill, the Croats have made everyone stand up and take notice. True, the opposition wasn't the best on offer at the tournament, but they look like a very tidy outfit indeed.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Mario Mandzukic: While everyone was keeping an eye out for Luka Modric and Nikica Jelavic, it was Wolfsburg striker Mandzukic who stole the show with his brace. Similar to his strike partner, he was a handful in and around the box.

Referee performance

Dutchman Bjorn Kuipers seemed more than happy to give Ireland a handful of soft free kicks throughout the first half, but he somehow waved away their appeals when Robbie Keane was felled by Gordon Schildenfeld on the hour. Not great.

Biggest gaffe of the game

The penalty denial. A goal for Ireland could have made it 2-3 with a good 30 minutes to play, but Kuipers seemed to go blind at the crucial moment.

What next?

Ireland: It looks to be an uphill struggle for them now. The only team in their group with zero points from their opening game, they now have to get something from Spain and Italy...

Croatia: In contrast, it's all looking rosy for Slaven Bilic's side. Sitting top of Group C, they are likely to give as good as they get against Spain and Italy.