Croatia 2-1 Wales: Ryan Giggs suffer narrow defeat in Euro 2020 qualifier in Osijek
Wales suffered a Euro 2020 setback as Croatia beat them 2-1 on a scorching afternoon in Osijek.A 17th-minute James Lawrence own goal and an Ivan Perisic strike at the start of the second half sealed Wales’ fate on a day when Croatia were too hot to handle.
getty
1Ryan Giggs is hoping to lead Wales to a major tournamentSubstitute David Brooks gave Wales a lifeline 13 minutes from time with a deflected drive and the Bournemouth forward almost equalised in the final seconds to snatch an unlikely point.The temperature gauge was touching 30 degrees at kick-off and the two teams took water breaks at the midway point of the first and second periods.Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic had expressed his displeasure with the afternoon kick-off, claiming UEFA had disrespected his World Cup finalists by not staging the game in the evening.It was, however, always Wales who were likely to be punished by the 3pm kick-off time given Croatia’s capacity to keep possession and force their opponents to expend energy chasing the ball.Luka Modric might be a few months shy of his 34th birthday, but Wales regularly struggled to get near the Real Madrid craftsman, who dictated the tempo of the contest.The size of Wales’ task was reflected by Croatia’s daunting home record.The World Cup finalists had never lost a Euro qualifier at home, a 32-game run stretching back to their first match in the competition in 1994, and had not been beaten at home for six years.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Switzerland vs England (Sunday, 2pm) talkSPORT
- England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT
- Portugal vs Netherlands (Sunday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
Croatia were also unbeaten in 11 games in Osijek, an inhospitable venue where Wales had previously succumbed in 2010 and 2013.Wales made one change from the side which got their Euro 2020 campaign off to a winning start in March.Rotherham midfielder Will Vaulks came in for his first competitive start as Manchester United-bound winger Daniel James, who had scored the winner against Slovakia, provided pace in the Wales attack alongside Gareth Bale.Croatia dominated the early exchanges with their slick passing and Chris Mepham had to react quickly to snuff out Andrej Kramaric.Ivan Perisic also fired over before a brilliant bit of quick thinking from Gareth Bale almost caught Croatia napping.Bale sent a quick long throw over the head of Dejan Lovren and on to the left foot of Harry Wilson.The ball sat up nicely for Wilson to volley but the effort lacked power and was easily collected by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.It was to prove a costly miss as Modric soon picked out Perisic with a delightful pass, which Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey chose not to come for and retreat instead towards his goal. Perisic’s pass was aimed for the lurking Kramaric, but Lawrence intervened to roll the ball into his own net.Wales had been almost non-existent as an attacking force in the first half, but they managed to involve James just before the break.James sent over a deep cross which Wilson placed into the path of Vaulks to drive at goal. Livakovic failed to hold Vaulks’ effort and then clawed on as Ben Davies almost bundled in the rebound.Croatia made a fast start to the second half and doubled their lead after 48 minutes.The Wales defence was all over the place after possession was conceded just outside their penalty area and Perisic swept home after Connor Roberts had failed to clear at the far post.Croatia had been denied a second moments earlier when Hennessey saved from Brekalo and Kovacic’s follow-up effort was ruled out for offside.Bale brought two saves from Livakovic as Wales gambled by pushing men forward and Brooks gave them hope 13 minutes from time with his first international goal.That set up a thrilling conclusion with chances at both ends, but Croatia held on to take top spot in Group E.
The first stop features Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, Grime artist Stormzy and comedian, rapper and actor Big Shaq. each other in a no rules game of FIFA 19's Kick
Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford sit down to play FIFA 19
Former Manchester United player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as the club's caretaker manager until the end of the season. The Norwegian replaces Jose Mourinho who was sacked by United
Chelsea transfer news: Blues to 'bid £36million' for Mexico and PSV forward Hirving Lozano. The 23-year-old shot to fame at the World Cup and has continued his fine form this season.
Chelsea transfer news: Blues to 'bid £36million' for Mexico
How many tickets will Tottenham and Liverpool get? Both teams been allocated 16,613 tickets for their supporters. The final is being held at Atletico Madrid's 68,000-capacity Estadio Metropolitano stadium but the majority of tickets will go to UEFA and national associations, commercial partners, broadcasters and corporate hospitality.
Neymar handed three-game ban for hitting fan after Paris
The Champions League is set for nine rule changes next season. Tottenham Hotspur face Liverpool in the final of the competition on June 1 and one of those nine rule changes will be in place for
Nine Champions League and Europa League rule changes to
Real Madrid have denied that Sergio Ramos failed a doping test after the 2016-17 Champions League final. According to Der Spiegel, Uefa deemed a positive doping test by Ramos to be an
Real Madrid deny claim Sergio Ramos failed a doping test
Kante, who was sold to Chelsea in the summer, has a lot to thank Ranieri for after plucking him the obscurity of Caen and turning him into one of the most highly regarded players in world football.
Leicester City Football Club May Be Close to the Upset of the
Two clubs, Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion, are not founding members of the Premier League, but have not been relegated since their debut in the Premier League. Two clubs, Cardiff City and Swansea City, are located in Wales but play in the English football league system for practical and historical reasons.
Every Premier League club's points record in the top-flight
Transfer news and football gossip: Kylian Mbappe hints at PSG exit, Alexis Sanchez's desperate bid to leave Manchester United, City identify Vincent Kompany replacement fpnews May 20, 2019 0 Kenya Sport News
Eden Hazard: Chelsea forward on favouring Arsenal over
Sheffield United received a £3million loan from Osama bin Laden's family, a court heard today. A battle in the High Court over control of the newly-promoted Premier League club is currently
Sheffield United funded by £3m loan from Osama bin Laden's
0 Comments