Croatia 2-1 Germany:PERHAPS NOW England just might get around to forgiving Steve McLaren. The side that eliminated McLaren's England from Euro 2008 with that 3-2 win at Wembley in November last night struck an even heavier blow when defeating tournament favourites Germany 2-1 in their second first round game in Klagenfurt.
Ten years ago, Croatia pulled off their biggest ever international win when defeating Germany 3-0 in an historic France '98 World Cup quarter-final tie. Last night, the Croatians staged a repeat with a performance that was arguably even more impressive given this current German team seems a better one than that of ten years ago.
On yet another famous night for the outrageously talented Eastern Europeans, Croatia were by far the better side. Seemingly watertight secure in defence, clearly creative in midfield and clinical in front of goal, the Croats were simply too good for the Germans.
More than anything else, it was Croatian technique that won the day. Midfielders Luka Modric, Niko Kovac, Ivan Rakitic and Darijo Srna all had too much control and vision in what was a very crowded midfield space. Furthermore, the experienced Croatian central pairing of Robert Kovac and Josip Simunic gave nothing away whilst the Croats have two highly effective full backs in Vedran Corluka and Daniel Pranjic. Add to all of that lot a safe looking goalkeeper in Stipe Pietikosa and you have the makings of a very handy team.
Given that the Croatians look sure to win this group, they will now meet either the Czech Republic or Turkey in the quarter finals. A place in the semi-finals looks very feasible.
If Croatia were impressive, what about the Germans? The old adage that first impressions can be misleading may well apply. When Germany began this tournament with an efficient 2-0 defeat of Poland, there were many who felt that they were already living up to their billing as competition favourites.
Yet that victory came with serious reservations about the quality of the Polish team. Last night, the shortcomings that blocked Germany in their home World Cup two years ago were once again evident as the side looked strong on determination and physical strength but weak on genuine midfield creativity and precision up front.
On a gloriously atmospheric night, the Croats immediately looked the more comfortable on the ball. After just 24 minutes, that splendid Croatian technique pulled off a mesmerizing six-pass move out on the left which ended with left back Pranjic hitting a perfect cross that saw Srna beat the German right back Marcell Jansen to the ball for a finish that gave Jens Lehmann no chance.
Minutes later, it might have been 2-0 when Niko Kranjcar blasted high over the bar from close range after strike partner Ivica Olic had knocked down another Pranjic cross. Germany were still very much in the game but when central defender Christoph Metzelder missed a good chance, heading over the bar from close range from a corner kick just three minutes before half time, one suspected this was going to be Croatia's night.
So it was with Olic wrapping it for the Croatians with the simplest of tap-ins in the 62nd minute. Again Croatia had rounded off a moment of sustained pressure with a goal when Rakitic sent in a cross that took a deflection off Lukas Podolski to fool Lehmann. The ball eventually hit the post and bounced back to the feet of Olic who fired home. .
But the Germans, as we all know, are nothing if not determined fighters. So it was that, partly inspired by second half substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger, they finally earned something for all their hard running.
Philipp Lahm, one of their better players on the night, knocked in a tempting cross from the left which Michael Ballack tried to knock down to a team mate. His header bounced off Simunci and fell after 79 minutes to Podolski who blasted home his third goal of the tournament to set up a dramatic final ten minutes.
But the Croats kept their cool, denying the Germans even a half-chance before going on to register a truly memorable victory.
CROATIA:Pletikosa; Corluka, R Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic; Srna (Leko 80), N Kovac, Modric, Kranjcar Knezevic 85); Rakitic, Olic (Petric 72).
GERMANY:Lehmann; Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Jansen (Odonkor 46); Fritz (Kuranyi 82), Frings, Ballack, Podolski; Klose, Gomez (Schweinsteiger 65).
Referee:F De Bleeckere (Belgium).
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