Croatia - Group D
Croatia proved their potential in qualification when they achieved notable draws both as home and away to eventual group winners Italy. In between times, they won all 4 of their other home games and picked up enough points along the way to qualify second in Group H.
Get to know: Croatia
A one point deduction after charges for racist behaviour in the match against Italy briefly threatened to de-rail Croatia’s Euro 2016 qualification campaign, but ultimatelyAnte Cacic’s men finished a point ahead of Norway to finish in second place. Croatia’s qualification was campaign built around solid defensive displays and an unbeaten home record where they won 4 of their 5 matches.
In the group stages, they won 6 games, drew 3 and lost 1, scoring 20 goals, conceding 5 and ending up with a +15 goal difference.
In the draw for the main event, Croatia were placed in Group D, alongside Turkey, Spain and the Czech Republic.
Fixtures:
June 12 vs. Turkey 1pm – Parc des Princes, Paris
June 17 vs. Czech Republic 4pm – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
June 21 vs. Spain 7pm – Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Goal scorers:
During qualification, the Croatia scored 20 goals
Their goal scorers were:
- Ivan Perišić (6)
- Luka Modrić (2)
- Andrej Kramarić (2)
- Marcelo Brozović (2)
- Gordon Schildenfeld (1)
- Ivan Rakitić (1)
- Danijel Pranjić (1)
- Ivica Olić (1)
- Mario Mandžukić (1)
- Nikola Kalinić (1)
- Own goals (2)
Qualification Stat Truths:
- Didn’t concede a single headed goal in qualifying.
- Least accurate shooters of any qualifier, getting just 35.0% of their shots on target.
- Faced highest percentage of shots in the second half of matches of any side in qualifying (68.3%).
- The only team at the finals to get three red cards during qualifying (two others got two each).
All data based on Croatia’s Euro 2016 qualification campaign. Courtesy of the Press Association.