England victorious in Vinkovci

Croatia U-21 misses on EURO 2015 berth

14.10.2014.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia U-21 squad did not manage to overcome England and qualify for the EURO 2015 in Czech Republic.

U-21: CROATIA - ENGLAND 1:2 (1:1)
EURO 2015 play-offs, return leg.
Cibalia Stadium, Vinkovci.

Referee: Clement Turpin (France)

Goalscorers: 0:1 - Moore (9'), 1:1 - Livaja (38'), 1:2 - Hughes (73')

Yellow cards: Carroll (56')

Croatia: Livaković, Milić, Datković, Mitrović, Miloš, Bradarić, Pašalić (67' Caktaš), Halilović (79' Mišić), Pjaca, Rebić (34' Bagarić), Livaja. Head coach: N. Gračan

England: Butland, Dier, Shaw, Gibson, Hughes, Moore, Caskey, Carroll, Redmond (85' Ince), Berahino, Kane. Head coach: G. Southgate.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

England U-21 traveled to Croatia with one-goal advantage (2:1) from play-off first leg in Wolverhampton and Nenad Gračan's men could not answer in the same fashion to reach the final U-21 tournament.

Pašalić failed to convert a golden opportunity in the first Croatian attack, and minutes later Kane replied for England. However, the goal was soon to come. In 9th minute, Carroll's cross was met by unguarded Moore, who struck with force to give visitors the lead.

Both teams had their chances in the first half, and English goalkeeper Butland kept Croatian strikers at bay. After an hour of play, Rebić had to be substituted, with Bagarić coming off the bench.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Home crowd celebrated the equalizer in 38th minute, when Halilović found Livaja with a superb long ball, and Livaja's low shot beat Butland.

The second half also saw action on both halves of the pitch. Pjaca's shot went wide, Kane fired high from close range, while Berahino hit the post.

The key moment finally happened in 73rd minute, when Hughes found his way through two defenders and fired past Livaković in the bottom corner. That goal proved more than enough for Gareth Southgate's England, who secured EURO 2015 berth.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Copyright by Croatian Football Federation. Quoting text from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to HNS as a source and providing direct link to the original content at hns.family. Re-use of the photographs is not permitted.