Croatia Fight Back For Italy Draw

MARIO Mandzukic's goal saw Croatia come from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Italy in Group C of Euro 2012.

Italy opened the scoring in Poznan through an excellent free-kick from Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who beat Stipe Pletikosa at the goalkeeper's near post six minutes before half-time.

It took Slaven Bilic's side until the 71st minute to force the equaliser, when Mandzukic collected Ivan Strinic's cross at the back post, before netting via a deflection off the upright.

Italy showed their intent early on by looking to attack their opponents on the break - Christian Maggio, Pirlo and Antonio Cassano all proving important outlets.

Mario Balotelli enjoyed the first sight of goal inside the opening three minutes, with his shot from the edge of the box whistling just wide of the target.

But Croatia were also keen to prove their worth in the encounter. Mandzukic, a two-goal hero in his team's 3-1 win over Ireland on Sunday, soon became involved in an engaging duel with Giorgio Chiellini.

Manchester City striker Balotelli did not stop running throughout the half, always looking to find space for his team-mates to pick out a pass, with Pirlo's delightful 50-yard through ball also a highlight.

And Balotelli's encouraging link-up play with Cassano almost produced a goal, if not for Pletikosa's stop.

At the other end, Everton striker Nikica Jelavic posed Italy's backline a problem, and he kept Gianluigi Buffon on his toes with a series of headed efforts.

Italy began to vary their approach, with Balotelli's hard work and Cassano's slick touches proving difficult for the Croatia defence to handle.

AC Milan forward Cassano pounced on a raking ball and weaved his way into the box, but dragged his effort wide of Pletikosa's goal.

Italy soon began to exert pressure in earnest, with Croatia playmaker Luka Modric marshalled out of the contest by Thiago Motta.

Claudio Marchisio, who came close with a thunderous strike earlier in the half, should have opened the scoring on 37 minutes.

It was club colleague Pirlo who released him, but Marchisio was unable to beat Pletikosa from close range on successive occasions.

Two minutes later Italy took a deserved lead.

A free-kick on the edge of the box was curled in magnificently by veteran Pirlo, his 10th goal in Italy colours.

It proved a fitting end to a fluid half of football in Poznan.

Bilic would surely have been frustrated with his side's first-half showing, but his team talk at the break appeared to work wonders.

Thiago Motta was withdrawn just past the hour mark after being booked for a clash with Darijo Srna, and the substitution proved to be Croatia's cue to take control.

Modric began to break through the shackles, with Italy forced to defend deeper and deeper as a consequence.

Mandzukic profited from Chiellini's misjudgement in the box to collect the ball at the far post and lift over Buffon for a crucial equaliser with 19 minutes left on the clock.

It looked then as if Croatia had found the initiative to go on and secure victory.

But a subdued last 10 minutes ensued, with Italy struggling to recapture their earlier fluency despite the introduction of forwards Antonio Di Natale and Sebastian Giovinco.

Croatia proved unable to force a winner in the time remaining, but they now have four points from two matches played.

Italy remain undefeated but have just two points to show for their efforts after also giving up a one-goal lead to draw 1-1 in their opening match against holders Spain.