Croatia slip up at Macedonia

FYR Macedonia 2 Croatia 0

England’s perfect day got even better tonight as Croatia lost their unbeaten qualifying record after slipping to a 2-0 defeat against FYR Macedonia on a waterlogged pitch at the Gradski Stadium.

The home side thoroughly deserved their victory after controlling the game for large periods and eventually got their reward with second-half goals from strike duo Goran Maznov and Ilco Naumoski.

Slaven Bilic’s side have still qualified for Euro 2008 following Russia’s 2-1 defeat in Israel but, incredibly, England can now win Group E if they beat Croatia by two goals on Wednesday.

The home side were the more positive of the two sides and had two good chances in the 35th minute to take the lead through Naumoski.

Maznov curled a floated ball from the right edge of the penalty area and Naumoski stretched but could not get enough elevation and his head failed to connect with the ball.

Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa though fumbled the cross and spilled the ball into the path of the striker but again he could not get the decisive touch.

The visitors took a more attacking approach after half-time and Eduardo Da Silva went close in the 53rd minute, but after a neat touch his shot from 12 yards was blocked by Macedonia defender Igor Mitreski.

Macedonia responded immediately and their counter-attack almost resulted in the opener when Naumoski headed back across goal for Naumoski but a last-ditch challenge from Dario Simic blocked the goal-bound shot.

Six minutes later and Croatia threatened from a corner when midfielder Darijo Srna delivered a dangerous ball which was met by Nico Kovac but he could only direct his close-range header wide.

Macedonia continued to press and their persistence paid off in the 71st minute through Maznov.

The 26-year-old forward played played a neat one-two with strike partner Naumoski before he lashed the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net from just inside the penalty area.

Srecko Katanec’s side doubled their advantage in the 79th minute when Naumoski turned from provider to goalscorer.

Naumoski broke clear of the Croatia defence and stroked the ball past Pletikosa and into the bottom-right corner.

Croatia briefly rallied and Simic struck a powerful shot from distance in the dying stages but Macedonia held on to claim victory.