Croatia v Republic of Ireland: the numbers

0 — Croatia have never conceded a goal in their opening match at a Euro finals (1-0 v Turkey, 1996; 0-0 v Switzerland, 2004; 1-0 v Austria, 2008).

1: Ireland have scored one goal in their first match at every finals they’ve contested (1-0 v England, 1988; 1-1 v England, 1990; 1-0 v Italy, 1994; 1-1 v Cameroon, 2002).

2: Croatian survivors from the team that beat Giovanni Trapattoni’s Italy 2-1 at the World Cup finals ten years ago (goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and defender Josip Simunic).