Turkey 0-1 Croatia: EURO 2016 Group D Report

Luka Modric’s stunning goal helped Croatia beat Turkey 1-0 in their opening Euro 2016 match at the Parc des Princes.

The Real Madrid midfielder hit a brilliant 30-yard volley into the bottom corner to give his nation the three points in Paris.

Croatia started with all of their big names in midfield – Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic lined up behind Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic in attack.

Meanwhile, free-kick specialist Hakan Calhanoglu and Barcelona’s Arda Turan both started in attack for Turkey alongside Cenk Tosun, while the 18-year-old Emre Mor, who recently joined Borussia Dortmund, was named among the subsitutes.

Despite the damp conditions in the French capital, the atmosphere in the Parc des Princes was electric in what was the two nations’ third meeting at the European Championships.

Despite a scrappy opening 15 minutes with few chances and a number of fouls, Marcelo Brozvic had the first real chance for Croatia but he could only head over the bar.

They went even closer just before the half-hour mark but Milan Badelj could only shoot straight at Volkan Babacan in the Turkey goal from the edge of the area following a poor punch by the stopper.

Turkey had their best chance of the match a minute later but Ozan Tufan could only send his free header from six yards straight at Danijel Subasic in the Croatia goal.

Luka Modric scored a stunning winning goal for Croatia. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Three minutes before the break, Ante Cacic’s men took the lead in wonderful circumstances, as Modric watched a clearance drop from the sky 30 yards out, before unleashing a fantastic volley that bounced past Babacan and into the bottom left-hand corner.

Looking for an equaliser, Turkey started the second half strongly and nearly levelled just after the interval, but Hakan Balta could only send his header into the side netting.

Croatia right-back then went close twice in three minutes for his team, first smacking the crossbar with a 20-yard free-kick, before hitting a first-time effort just wide on his weaker left foot.

The Croats continued to threaten and Brozovic chested and volleyed just over from Mandzukic’s lay-off, before the Juventus striker then crossed for Perisic, but his header came off the woodwork for the second time in the match.

Turkey had one last chance to make Croatia pay for their missed chances and snatch a point, but Caner Erkin could only hit his free-kick straight at Subasic.

Perisic had another chance to put the game beyond doubt, but he couldn’t quite dink the ball over Babacan.

Man of the Match: Luka Modric (Croatia)

The midfielder was so comfortable on the ball and added a touch of class to proceedings, before finishing of a fine performance by scoring the winning goal – a stunning 30-yard volley into the bottom corner. But it wasn’t just going forward that the former Tottenham man was impressive – he also worked back and made a number of interceptions in defence.

What’s Next? Croatia will look to build on their perfect start when they face the Czech Republic in Saint-Etienne on Friday, while Turkey will look to pick up their first points when they play Spain in Nice on the same day.