Croatia beat Ireland 3-1, Euro Cup 2012 Group C, Ireland V Croatia

Croatia beat Ireland 3-1, Euro Cup 2012 Group C

Croatia beat Ireland 3-1 in the Euro Cup 2012 Group C encounter. Croatia after winning its first match became Group C leaders as Spain and Italy drawn 1-1 in their Euro Cup 201 Group C opener.

Croatia took the lead within three minutes off the game start with a powerful header of striker Mario Mandzukic.

St Ledger beat defender Corluka  at the back post and he nodded the ball into the goal to level the match 1-1 in the 19th minute.

Ireland then began to take a back seat in the match and they were punished with goals from Nikica Jelavic and Mandzukic either side of the break.

Croatia took control but with the final third congested Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric were forced to shoot from range and despite both hitting the target, Given was equal to them.

Trapattoni's side were unable to hold on until half-time as Stephen Ward sliced a clearance from Modric's shot straight into the path of an unmarked Jelavic.

The Croatian striker Jelavic stabbed the ball over Given to score his first international goal since August 2010 in 43 minute to bring lead back to Croatia.

The second half began just as the first and Croatia doubled their lead just moments after the restart. Perisic's delivery from the left was glanced towards the far corner by the head of Mandzukic.

His attempt bounced out off the post but was cruelly diverted into the net via the head of Given as he dived to make the save.

M. Mandžukić 3 and 48 minute goals remained crucial for Croatia as they lead the Group C points table of UEFA EURO Cup 2012.

Ireland, meanwhile, face an uphill struggle if they are to progress, needing positive results against both Spain and Italy.