AZERBAIJAN - CROATIA 1:1 (0:1)
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E.
Bakcell Arena, Baku.
Referee: S. Schärer (Switzerland)
Goals: 0:1 - Modrić (11' - 11m), 1:1 - Khalilzade (72')
Cautions: Brozović (21'), Krivotsyuk (62'), Nazarov (67'), Khalilzade (68'), Barišić (70'), Medvedev (90+3')
Azerbaijan: Balayev, Krivotsyuk, Mustafazade, Medvedev, Pashayev (46' Khalilzade), Huseynov (60' Makhmudov), Garayev, Rahimov, Nazarov (90' Eyubov), Emreli, Sheydaev. Head coach: N. Jurčević.
Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, Vida, Lovren, Bartolec (76' Brekalo), Brozović, Modrić, Vlašić, Perišić, Rebić (86' Oršić), Petković. Head coach: Z. Dalić.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In its fifth outing in the EURO 2020 qualifiying, Croatia managed a 1:1 draw away at Azerbaijan, three days after the fantastic win at Slovakia.
Zlatko Dalić's men were positive in the opening minutes in Baku, with captain Modrić - who celebrated his 34th birthday - drawing the first blood. However, the Azerbaijani goalkeeper Balayev made his presence known.
However, Modrić was on the scoresheet on 11 minutes, when the home defender was penalised for a handball, and Croatia captain converted the spot kick.
Soon afterwards, Balayev saved to excellent Rebić's opportunities, as well as Vlašić's long-distance effort, while the hosts threatened Livaković through Sheydaev before the break.
In the second half, Nikola Jurčević's Azerbaijan found the balance, and even took the initiative. The reward came on 72 minutes, when Khalilzade pierced his way through Croatia's defence and scored the equalizer.
Croatia head coach Dalić tried to change the outcome by introducing Brekalo and Oršić - who earned his first Croatia cap - but the scoreline remained the same.
Later, Slovakia won 2:1 in Budapest. and Croatia continues its qualifying path on 10 October, hosting Hungary in Split, and visits Wales on 13 October.
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E:
1. Croatia 10 (5)
2. Slovakia 9 (5)
3. Hungary 9 (5)
4. Wales 6 (4)
5. Azerbaijan 1 (5)
