Sunday June 10, 2012 Group Stage: Group C Finished Stadion Miejski

Republic of Ireland 1 - 3 Croatia

  • St Ledger 19’
  • Mandžukic 3’, 48’
  • Jelavic 43’

183 comments | Write your comment

  1. Ireland sunk by classy Croatia

    Ireland sunk by classy Croatia

    Republic of Ireland face an uphill battle to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals after being outclassed 3-1 by Croatia in Group C. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Republic of Ireland
    • Croatia
    • 90+5' There goes the final whistle! A 3-1 win for Croatia. A comfortable win. Croatia go top of Group C with three points.
    • 90+2' Rakitic departs with Tomislav Dujmovic on. This match all but over.
    • 90+1' Chance for Andrews, but he nods inches wide from Duff's corner. So near, yet so far. Remains 3-1 to Croatia.
    • 89' We are into five minutes of time added on.
    • 88' Croatia with plenty of bodies behind the ball. Whelan sees a shot deflect over the bar for an Irish corner.
    • 87' Perisic departs to be replaced by Eduardo, who is given a big reception by the Croatian fans.
    • 86' Croatia trying to run down the clock in the Irish half. Change coming here for Croatia.
    • 85' Duff picks out Andrews with the cross. Gets the header at goal, but ball is over the bar. Much better delivery from Ireland.
    • 84' A few heavy challenges flying in here as Kranjcar goes through Cox with a sliding challenge. Mandžukic is needing a spot of treatment elsewhere after battling in the air with St Ledger.
    • 83' Ireland will need to go back to the Jackie Charlton days and get the ball from back to front as quickly as possible. Need a goal quickly here.
    • 82' Kranjcar is booked for a late challenge on Walters.
    • 81' Cox swing a ball into the feet of Walters, but speeds off the surface before landing in the arms of Pletikosa.
    • 80' Andrew drives a shot at goal from 25 yards. Sees the shot spin a couple of yards wide. Worth a bash, but a familiar story on the night.
    • 79' Duff's cross picks out Andrews, whose header is saved by Pletikosa. Decent move from Ireland, but the header again lacked enough pace.
    • 78' The Irish fans begin to sing. At least they are keeping things in perspective, even if this has been a bit of a lesson in possession football.
    • 77' Corluka tumbles under pressure from Cox. Irish want a penalty for handball, but the foul is given against Ireland.
    • 76' Rakitic curls an effort inches wide from Srna's pass. Glorious move from Croatia. Irish can't get near the ball.
    • 75' Ireland continue working hard to close down space, but Croatia always seem to have an extra pass available to them.
    • 74' A disappointing night for Keane on an evening of dejection for Ireland. But they can have few complaints. The fans will party whatever the result is.
    • 73' Another change for Ireland as Keane is wheeled off to be replaced by Shane Long.
    • 72' An Ireland goal now would set us up for an interesting finale, but difficult to see where it is going to come from in open play.
    • 71' First suggestion that Croatia are looking to shut up shop here this evening with Mandžukic set to lead the line on his own.
    • 70' The change about to come for Croatia as Jelavic departs to be replaced by Kranjcar.
    • 69' Duff with the cross from out wide, but easy enough take for Pletikosa in the Croatia goal.
    • 68' Looks like Kranjcar is going to be given a bit of an airing here for Croatia.
    • 67' Slaven Bilic quite animated on the Croatian bench. Croatia take their time meandering forward.
    • 66' Duff brought down by Perisic. Duff throws in a free-kick. Dunne heads it down, but not enough power to beat Pletikosa.
    • 65' Cox takes out Mandžukic with a late challenge.
    • 64' Ireland being pressed back with every passing moment. The gameplan has not worked as Modric dances around in the midfield with so much menace.
    • 63' This is the first time the Republic of Ireland have ever conceded three goals in a tournament game. Not been their night.
    • 62' Srna throws the corner into the box, but Ireland survive that moment. Croatia continue to look so comfortable on the ball.
    • 61' Keane goes down on the edge of the box. Appeals for a penalty. Schildenfeld seemed to catch Keane a bit late, but nothing doing.
    • 60' O'Shea lifts the ball high into the box, but far too easy for Pletikosa to come to collect.
    • 59' Ireland need to get O'Shea and Ward to support their attacks here if they are going to get anything from this forgettable evening.
    • 58' Ireland trying to keep the ball without too much joy. Perisic's cross is cut out by O'Shea.
    • 57' Think it was a handball Dunne was done for there. Croatia take up residence again in the Irish half. Will become a long night for Ireland if a fourth goal finds their net here.
    • 56' Walters throwing himself about up front before Duff is taken out by Strinic. Free-kick chance for Ireland. Duff with the delivery, but Dunne is penalised for pushing in the area.
    • 55' Cox goes for goal from 25 yards, but well over the bar. Doesn't look like it is going to be Ireland's night here.
    • 54' McGeady also given the hook as Simon Cox is introduced.
    • 53' Walters takes over from Doyle for Ireland.
    • 52' Modric takes out Whelan with a late challenge. He is booked for that one.
    • 51' John O'Shea completed only 48% of his passes in the first half v Croatia to sum up Ireland's lack of ability in keeping the ball.
    • 50' That goal has been given as an OG. Unfortunate for Ireland, but can't really argue with the result so far. Croatia playing at a higher level.
    • 49' Irish getting a real going over here. Awful defending really by the Irish with St Ledger failing to get above Mandžukic to prevent that header going in. Ivan Perisic with the cross.
    • 48' GOAL! Mandžukic heads into the corner of the net and Croatia lead 3-1. Ball hits a post and comes back off Given's head before nestling in the goal.
    • 47' Perisic feeling the pain after Whelan's challenge. He doesn't look too happy with that one.
    • 46' We are off and way in the second period with Croatia holding a 2-1 lead.
    • 45+3' Rakitic nods over the bar when he could have added a third. Ireland in a spot of bother before the teams head for half-time. That defence looks highly suspect.
    • 44' Match delayed before Ireland get us off and running. The Irish defence found wanting at key moments tonight. Andrews is going to be booked for a late tackle on Mandžukic.
    • 43' Firecrackers emerge from among the Croatia fans as Schildenfeld is forced to limp out of the action.
    • 42' GOAL! Jelavic chips the ball over Given and Croatia are ahead. Ward makes a mess of a clearance. A 2-1 lead. 11 goals in 16 games since he joined Everton. One goal here. Irish all over the place.
    • 41' Ward gives the ball away before making amends to cut out the cross from Srna.
    • 40' Corluka stops Andrews from getting a free run at goal as Pletikosa picks up the ball.
    • 39' Jelavic nods wide from Strinic's cross. Giovanni Trapattoni on the touchline. Not sure what he has made of this first period.
    • 38' Keane shields the ball from Modric before O'Shea hammers it long down the park. Ireland being pushed back.
    • 37' The weight of the Croatian passing is just so impressive in these wet conditions. They have been the slicker side. Always expected it to be like this, but Ireland are fighting the good fight.
    • 36' Doyle rises in the Croatia box to win a header. No real power as Pletikosa plucks it out of the air.
    • 35' Perisic slams a volley wide of goal from Jelavic's pass. Brilliant effort, but always sailing wide. Not sure Given knew much about that.
    • 34' The Croatians with almost 60 percent of possession. Ireland have to get on the ball here.
    • 33' Dunne slips the ball to St Ledger, who hammers it long down the park. Croatia look a lot more comfortable on the ball.
    • 32' Modric fires a blistering shot at goal from 30 yards. Great hit, but straight at Given.
    • 31' Andrews loses the ball to Modric, but he can't pick out the pass. Andrews fells Modric, but no booking.
    • 30' Croatia have not really built on that early opening goal as Mandžukic heads out of play. Croatia operating with a 4-3-1-2 formation.
    • 29' McGeady with the delivery to the back post, but Ward just fails to connect. Set-pieces so important in this match.
    • 28' Corluka nudges Doyle off the ball, and the Irish have a free-kick out wide. Same position as the goal.
    • 27' Mandžukic chasing all sorts of hopeful causes. Given gets in front of him to clear the danger.
    • 26' Rain continues to fall as Jelavic takes out O'Shea. Ireland fans really giving their side some vocal support. Party continues in Poznan.
    • 25' Corluka wins the ball from Whelan with a superb challenge, but the referee thought otherwise.
    • 24' Would be a huge night to take three points after the 1-1 draw between Spain and Italy earlier in the day. Read about that here... Torres misfires as gutsy Italy hold Spain
    • 23' Keane deemed to be offside. Ireland are suddenly warming to this. Mandžukic fouled by O'Shea moments earlier.
    • 22' Given forced to make a solid stop in the middle of his goal after Perisic sent a shot spinning towards goal from distance. That was some hit and a decent hit.
    • 21' Dunne gets in ahead of Jelavic. Another fine pass by Srna before Rakitic slams a shot well wide of the target from Rakitic.
    • 20' Some idiot keeps blowing a whistle in the ground. Not helpful to either side, but that doesn't matter. The Irish fans and players have joined the party. Irish fans doing the Poznan in Poznan.
    • 19' GOAL! St Ledger rises to head home from McGeady's free-kick and the Irish are level. Brilliant move. Ireland celebrate. Back in this match.
    • 18' Doyle brought down by Corluka deep in the Croatia half. A free-kick chance for the Irish out wide. Chance to get the big men up front.
    • 17' O'Shea rises to head behind the goal from Rakitic's free-kick. Brilliant free-kick, but Ireland survive that attack.
    • 16' Schildenfeld again late on Doyle. He doesn't look too delicate flying into challenges. Perhaps Ireland can exploit his shortcomings.
    • 15' No team scored more goals from set-pieces in qualifying than the Republic of Ireland. That is perhaps where there best chance will come this evening.
    • 14' Perisic with a cross from out wide that provides next to nothing. The Irish still feeling their way into this contest. As are the players.
    • 13' Given off his line quickly to ensure Jelavic could not get a free run at goal. That opening goal must have shaken Given.
    • 12' No cries of "You'll never beat the Irish" from the Green Army, but that is sure to come soon. Croatia refusing to be ruffled.
    • 11' Andrews smacks the ball off the wall before a volley limps wide. Chance wasted for the Irish.
    • 10' Doyle fouled by Schildenfeld on the edge of the area. Chance here then for Ireland from this free-kick with five men in the Croatia wall.
    • 9' Croatia's opener is the first Euro finals goal inside the opening three minutes since Michael Owen netted against Portugal in Euro 2004.
    • 8' Duff on the ball for Ireland. Dinks the cross into the middle, but Corluka is there to make the clearance.
    • 7' O'Shea with a throw-in out wide in the opposition half, but Croatia are quick to break up the play. Rain is coming down thick and fast.
    • 6' Dunne carries the ball inside from out wide. Lets fly from distance, but wide of goal. The rain tumbling down on a damp night for the Irish so far.
    • 5' Doyle on the run for Ireland, but he has his pocket picked. Croatia the technically superior side, but that goal had nothing to do with technique. The Croatian fans in party mood.
    • 4' Dunne with a late challenge on Jelavic. Vital that Ireland compose themselves here. Worse possible start for them here.
    • 3' GOAL! Mandžukic nods into the goal from 12 yards out. Given is wrong footed and he can't get back across his goal to save. Croatia grab the lead. A soft, soft goal to concede.
    • 2' Andrews nods the header behind the goal from Ward's cross. A goalkick to Croatia. A wall of noise in Poznan for this match.
    • 1' We are off and running after two rousing renditions of the national anthems. Croatia and Ireland are two passionate nations.
    • 19:40 Match odds: Republic of Ireland 3/1, Croatia 11/10, Draw 2/1 (William Hill)
    • 19:35 IRELAND QUALIFICATION RECORD: Ireland scored 10 of their 15 goals in qualifying with set pieces, more than anyone else. They only lost once too and are on a 14-match unbeaten run.
    • 19:30 CROATIA QUALIFICATION RECORD: Croatia scored nine headed goals in Euro 2012 qualification (43% of their total) – more than any other side.
    • 19:25 IRELAND AT THE EUROS: The Republic of Ireland’s only previous appearance in this competition saw them eliminated from the group stages in Euro 1988 despite a 1-0 win over England in their opening game. However the Irish have made it past the group stages in their last three appearances at major tournaments (1990, 1994 and 2002, all World Cups).
    • 19:20 CROATIA AT THE EUROS: Croatia won all three group games at Euro 2008 and have made the quarter-finals in two of their previous three appearances at the Championships.
    • 19:15 HEAD TO HEAD: The only two competitive meetings between Ireland and Croatia were in qualification for Euro 2000 and both were won by the home team.
    • 19:10 Croatia, meanwhile, leave Niko Kranjcar on the bench despite his fine form in qualifying, the new Dynamo Kiev playmaker paying the price for his bench-warming duties at Tottenham last season. Everton's Nikica Jelavic, meanwhile, starts up front after Ivica Olic's withdrawal through injury. Possibly a blessing for Bilic, with Jelavic in fine form after moving to the Premier League in January.
    • 19:05 So no surprises for the Irish as the same XI that always starts is named, with Whelan recovering from a knock to make the cut.
    • 19:00 TEAMS - Ireland: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St. Ledger, Ward, Duff, Andrews ,Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Doyle /// Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic, Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic, Jelavic
    • 18:55 Slaven Bilic: "I follow the Irish team and I know everything about them. Their football is simple to analyse and I don't think there's any way they can surprise us. On the other hand, I don't think we can surprise them either. We have consistently been in the top 10 teams in the world, which is phenomenal for our country. We have missed only two tournaments, we are proud of this and we are respected, our opponents are sometimes shocked at how a small country we are."
    • 18:50 Giovanni Trapattoni: "I think about what I'm going to eat tonight, not what I'll eat in three days. It's like the eve of the final match of the championship. Everyone is expecting victory and I'm thinking about mistakes that could lead to non-victory. That's my only, but great, worry. In Italy, we have a simple phrase: 'the ball is round.' With a little bit of fantasy, and sometimes a small mistake, it makes us believe in little things."
    • 18:45 Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Ireland's Euro 2012 Group C opener against the Slaven Bilic's stylish Croatia, kicking off at 7.45pm UK time.

  • Summary

    • 90+1' Chance for Andrews, but he nods inches wide from Duff's corner. So near, yet so far. Remains 3-1 to Croatia.
    • 85' Duff picks out Andrews with the cross. Gets the header at goal, but ball is over the bar. Much better delivery from Ireland.
    • 79' Duff's cross picks out Andrews, whose header is saved by Pletikosa. Decent move from Ireland, but the header again lacked enough pace.
    • 76' Rakitic curls an effort inches wide from Srna's pass. Glorious move from Croatia. Irish can't get near the ball.
    • 48' GOAL! Mandžukic heads into the corner of the net and Croatia lead 3-1. Ball hits a post and comes back off Given's head before nestling in the goal.
    • 42' GOAL! Jelavic chips the ball over Given and Croatia are ahead. Ward makes a mess of a clearance. A 2-1 lead. 11 goals in 16 games since he joined Everton. One goal here. Irish all over the place.
    • 22' Given forced to make a solid stop in the middle of his goal after Perisic sent a shot spinning towards goal from distance. That was some hit and a decent hit.
    • 19' GOAL! St Ledger rises to head home from McGeady's free-kick and the Irish are level. Brilliant move. Ireland celebrate. Back in this match.
    • 3' GOAL! Mandžukic nods into the goal from 12 yards out. Given is wrong footed and he can't get back across his goal to save. Croatia grab the lead. A soft, soft goal to concede.
    • 19:00 TEAMS - Ireland: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St. Ledger, Ward, Duff, Andrews ,Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Doyle /// Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic, Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic, Jelavic

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.5 5
      Defenders
      4.5 5
      4.5 5
      Goal 6.2 6
      4.8 4
      Midfielders
      4.6 5
      Yellow Card 5.3 6
      5.6 5
      Substitution Out54′ 5.1 4
      Strikers
      Substitution Out54′ 5.3 5
      Substitution Out75′ 5.9 5
      Subs
      Substitution In54′ 5.4 6
      Substitution In75′ 5.4 6
      Substitution In54′ 4.6 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.2 6
      Defenders
      5.6 7
      4.6 6
      4.9 6
      5.1 6
      Midfielders
      4.8 6
      Substitution Out90′ 5.6 7
      Substitution Out89′ 5.4 6
      Yellow Card 7.1 7
      Strikers
      Goals ×2 7 8
      Goal Substitution Out72′ 6.5 8
      Subs
      Substitution In72′ Yellow Card 5.9 6
      Substitution In90′ 6 6
      Substitution In89′ 6.2 6

Comment 163 - 183 of 183

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. It's not all over for the Irish yet. They did not­ play their best, they can still qualify! UP IRELAND! ­ I LOVE YOUR DAIRY PRODUCTS!

    From Mbamara, on Tue 12 Jun 1:00

  2. Comon croatia you are the best score jelavic­ yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy­ yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy­ yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy­ eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­ eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­ eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­ hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­ hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­ hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

    From , on Mon 11 Jun 15:43

  3. glad to see republic ireland beaten as they poach our­ players in northern ireland after they have been ­ through the basic introductions of school , youth and­ under 21 internationals. this does not seem fair and­ uefa should be aware that they are only fostering more­ hate in northern ireland by their decision on this­ farce

    From james, on Mon 11 Jun 15:34

  4. I see that many football fans are mentioning a penalty­ deserved for Ireland. They ALL completely forget how­ many fouls, during the jumps irish players commited­ (with their elbows) on croatian players, that were­ completely disregarded by judges. During the whole­ first half time there were SEVERAL fouls, and some near­ 16 meters (like the first goal for ireland, even­ closer), but they were disregarded. Some of them were­ also in the second half of this match, and also near 16­ meters, also disregarded. How many fouls were commited­ on Mandjukic? And the last foul on Pletikosa, croatian­ goal keeper, was an irish player punish by a yellow­ card?? Irish players ONLY got ONE yellow card during­ the whole match. So I kindly disagree with anyone who­ is saying that judges were on Croatia's side.

    From , on Mon 11 Jun 14:44

  5. Believe

    From Danielle, on Mon 11 Jun 14:42

  6. Great job Croatia, ITs next!! Naprijed vatreni!!

    From Mario - London, on Mon 11 Jun 14:25

  7. gotta shout for france..england is the only country in­ the world where i get racially abused as an irish man.

    From Ró Mybúsínéss, on Mon 11 Jun 14:06

  8. The worse thing now,,for a english guy living in­ ireland..is that the will be cheering on france sweden­ and ukraine as much as there own team...the pubs will­ be full of plastic frenchies tonight

    From Tony, on Mon 11 Jun 13:14

  9. hahaaa.. well done Croatia..!!! you did what we could­ not.. greeting from Hungary...

    From Gabor, on Mon 11 Jun 12:36

  10. Forgot to say in my comment below, that Croatia were­ not great and I suspect that Spain and Italy will beat­ them. And we gave away two soft goals and should have­ had a penalty. Given was hardly tested, but then again,­ we never looked like scoring. I think the best we­ could have hoped for was a draw really or a 1-0 with 11­ men behind the ball. It's a shame Ireland are­ playing so defensive - at least Big Mick had Ireland­ playing proper football.

    From Mr Wag, on Mon 11 Jun 11:56

  11. The sad truth is that Ireland do not have any star­ players now. There are lot of very average players in­ the team now. R Keane is playing in the US, which says­ it all. The other strikers are average. The centre of­ midfield is very, very average and weak. The wings­ should be our strength but they were not used enough­ and Duff is now in his twilight years. Given looks out­ of sorts and O'shea and Dunne are also in their­ twilight years too. Ireland were quite lucky to qualify­ and the manager is out of his depth. A better manager­ would have got more out of this ireland team. Very­ disapointed really. Spain and Italy will batter us.

    From Mr Wag, on Mon 11 Jun 11:53

  12. ...

    From Bill, on Mon 11 Jun 10:34

  13. Wht don't Ireland, scotland and wales join together­ as a team? Then they might only get beat 2-1.

    From Justinio, on Mon 11 Jun 9:12

  14. Mcgeady and duff never turned up for the game we need­ player like them to play from the start and show there­ ment to be top class players

    From Kenneth, on Mon 11 Jun 8:17

  15. poor officiating. up Ireland

    From Henry, on Mon 11 Jun 7:39

  16. ireland vs croatia, 3 - 1 NO, 2- 2, the Ireland penalty­ was given as a goal to Ireland, and the Croatia 3rd­ goal was cancelled as an offside goal so says M.­ Platini.O the ref must be red fired 4ever. He shd be­ gr8ful! fist-happy Rooney was not playing for Ireland

    From Henry, on Mon 11 Jun 7:36

  17. As expected...the Irish is the underdog team...

    From khairul najmy, on Mon 11 Jun 5:55

  18. Why does the British media go overboard whenever­ ireland manage to qualify for one of these tournaments?­ As far as I am concerned 2 foreign teams were playing­ and Croatia won. Ireland will go home with zero points.

    From Michael S, on Mon 11 Jun 3:51
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    calling the irish team spud gatheres and bog men is­ rich, at least the irish people are welcome world wide­ not like the english supporters. also most of the irish­ team are uk born so the biggots here only insult their­ own country. i hope england get beaten tomorrow

    From michael, on Mon 11 Jun 2:00

  20. they played like wolves headless chickens.

    From John, on Mon 11 Jun 0:10
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account