Modric magic powers Croatia
Print Edition
LUKA Modric’s perfect technique lifted Croatia to a 1-0 win over Turkey yesterday at the European Championship.
The Real Madrid midfielder scored with a dipping volley in the 41st minute of a rugged and bloodied Group D game at Parc des Princes. Modric strode forward into the path of a high clearance for a 25-meter shot that Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Babacan failed to keep out.
Croatia had several good chances to score, but was twice denied by the crossbar in the second half. Veteran captain Darijo Srna’s curling free kick glanced off the woodwork on its way over, and Ivan Perisic’s close-range header rebounded out of danger.
Modric’s goal stood out in a mostly uninspiring first half. Playing in a deep role, he was perfectly placed when Turkey’s defense panicked dealing with a cross into the goalmouth.
An aimless clearance sent the ball looping into a central area and Modric sent back a bouncing shot.
In the first Euro 2016 match after violence on Saturday at the match between Russia and England in Marseille, a fan in a Croatia shirt jumped from the stands to join the players while they were celebrating the goal. He was led away by stadium security staff and UEFA will likely sanction Croatia’s soccer federation for the security breach.
The two teams, traditionally known for neat ground passes, mostly preferred lofting crosses into the goalmouth. Unfortunately for Croatia, back-to-back headed chances in the 23rd were wasted by midfielder Marcelo Brozovic as tall forward Mario Mandzukic lurked nearby.
Turkey’s best headed chance also fell to a midfielder. Ozan Tufan miscued in the 29th to force goalkeeper Danijel Subasic into a stumbling goalline save.
Amid so much aerial play, there were collisions and casualties.
Croatia defender Vedran Corluka was left with a bloodied head and face by forward Cenk Tosun’s elbow. Tosun was shown a yellow card and Corluka sported a large white bandage until halftime. The wound reopened in the second half and Corluka was patched up twice more.
On Saturday, fighting fans, tear gas and riot police returned to the streets of Marseille, before and after England’s 1-1 draw with Russia in Group B.
Clashes between England and Russia supporters even broke out inside the stadium at the final whistle, after Vasily Berezutsky headed the equalizer in stoppage time. England had taken a 73rd-minute lead through a superb free kick by Eric Dier.
The violence overshadowed a second day of the tournament that saw Wales make a winning return to tournament football after 58 years with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia in Group B. Switzerland opened with a 1-0 win against Albania in Group A.
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