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Sunday, June 10, 2012

EURO 2012 : Croatia beat Ireland - Spain and Italy draw

Two goals from Mario Mandzukic and one from Nikica Jelavic put Croatia in control of Euro 2012 Group C as they beat the Republic of Ireland 3-1 in Poznan.

The match was played in incessant rain for long periods, but the wet conditions helped to spice up the action as Mandžukić struck as early as the third minute – the sixth fastest goal in EURO history.

Ireland rallied to level through centre-back Sean St Ledger, but Mandžukić grabbed his second after Nikica Jelavić had reclaimed the lead and Croatia never looked like slipping up from there.

Link to video highlights of Ireland v Croatia

FULLTIME :
Ireland 1
(St Ledger 19)
Croatia 3 (Mandzukic 3, 48, Jelavic 43)


Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Antonio Di Natale's opener as Spain and Italy battled to a 1-1 draw in their opening Euro2012 match in Gdansk on Sunday night.

With few clear-cut chances in the opening period, the second half saw an open, flowing game of football which could have produced numerous goals.

Di Natale made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute, scoring a couple of minutes later, latching on to Pirlo's inch-perfect pass before coolly slotting past the onrushing Casillas.

Spain hit back almost immediately, when Silva flicked a pass with the outside of his left boot to Fabregas and he made no mistake with a crisp finish under Buffon.

Link to UEFA.com video highlights of Spain v Italy

FULLTIME :
Spain 1
(Fabregas 64)
Italy 1 (Di Natale 61)

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