Published: 19 minutes ago
MARIO MANDZUKIC cancelled out Andrea Pirlo's pearler as Slaven Bilic's men came back to earn a precious point against Italy.
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The Wolfsburg striker was too good for Ireland last week and he was on the money again in Poznan, latching on to Ivan Strinic's cross for his third goal in two games.
The Italians had looked good for the three points after dead-ball king Pirlo whipped in a stunning free-kick just before half-time.
But with Manchester City's Mario Balotelli missing a number of early attempts, the Azzurri could not kill off the game and Mandzukic made them pay.
The result throws Group C wide open with Croatia now giving themselves a real chance of reaching the last eight.
While not even a win over Ireland will guarantee Cesare Prandelli's side a quarter-final spot after back-to-back draws.
Balotelli was in the thick of the action early on, having kept his place in the starting line-up despite a poor display against Spain.
And he had a great chance to open the scoring after controlling Emanuele Giaccherini’s low cross in the box before turning and firing just wide.
Balotelli was soon given another shooting opportunity but after his strike was blocked, Claudio Marchisio fizzed a fierce 20-yard strike narrowly over the bar.
And the City striker had a third chance in the opening quarter of an hour but this time he hit his effort straight at Stipe Pletikosa from the edge of the D.
Croatia’s first real flurry forward could have seen them earn a penalty as Nikica Jelavic went down in the box under a challenge from Giorgio Chiellini but Howard Webb gave Italy a free-kick instead.
That decision seemed to spur the Croats on as Darijo Srna whipped in a dangerous cross from the right which was just out of the reach of Jelavic.
But Antonio Casanno was looking lively for Italy and he fired an effort just wide across the face of goal after Leonardo Bonucci’s audacious flicked ball over the top.
Marchisio could have scored after a fine touch and turn eight yards out but his effort was brilliantly saved by Pletikosa before the Croatian keeper got up again to smother the rebound.
The opener did eventually come for the Italians and they had the magical right boot of Pirlo to thank for it.
Ivan Rakitic conceded a free-kick on the left edge of the box and the Juventus set-piece specialist stepped up to curl in a beauty over the wall and past the scrambling Pletikosa.
Luka Modric tried to get things going for Croatia after the break with one strike straight at Gianluigi Buffon from the edge of the box and then a 25-yard belter which flew over the bar.
Crosses were being whipped in for Ireland’s nemesis Mandzukic but the solid Italian defence held firm.
Balotelli brought Italy back to life and leathered one from 25 yards which had Pletikosa sweating but cleared the bar.
The City hothead was then replaced by Antonio Di Natale — just as he was against Spain when the Udinese striker went on to grab Italy’s goal.
But it was to be Croatia’s hero from their first Group C clash that came up with the killer blow moments later.
Strinic delivered a fine ball from the left and Chiellini mistimed his jump allowing Mandzukic to take a touch before hammering home off the post and past the helpless Buffon.
Croatia finished the game the stronger as they went in search of the winner that would have sealed their last-eight place, but it was not to be, leaving both sides facing a dramatic final group game.
Italy: Buffon, Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini, Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, Thiago Motta (Montolivo 62), Giaccherni, Balotelli (Di Natale 69), Cassano (Giovinco 83). Subs Not Used: Sirigu, Ogbonna Obienza, Balzaretti, Abate, Barzagli, Borini, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis.
Booked: Thiago Motta, Montolivo.
Goals: Pirlo 39.
Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic, Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Perisic (Pranjic 68), Jelavic (Eduardo 83), Mandzukic (Kranjcar 90). Subs Not Used: Kelava, Simunic, Buljat, Badelj, Vrsaljko, Dujmovic, Kalinic, Vida, Subasic.
Booked: Schildenfeld.
Goals: Mandzukic 72.
Att: 37,096
Ref: Howard Webb (England).
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