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Italy 1-1 Croatia

Italy 1-1 Croatia
© PA Photos
Mario Mandzukic's third goal of Euro 2012 earns Croatia a point in a 1-1 draw with Group C rivals Italy in Poznan.

Mario Mandzukic's third goal of Euro 2012 has secured a point for Croatia in a 1-1 draw with Group C rivals Italy at Poznan's Municipal Stadium.

The Azzurri started brightly and nearly found an opening inside the first three minutes when Mario Balotelli's shot on the turn went narrowly wide.

The striker had another effort blocked soon after with Claudio Marchisio fizzing the rebound over from 25 yards.

Balotelli was again in the thick of the action when his fierce drive was punched away by Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia's first opportunity came midway through the half as Nikica Jelavic was inches away from getting on the end of Darijo Srna's low cross.

However, Italy finally got themselves in front seven minutes before the break when Andrea Pirlo curled in a trademark free kick over the wall and past Pletikosa.

Slaven Bilic's men enjoyed some early pressure on the Italian goal in the second half, but they were unable to convert any of their possession into an equaliser.

Instead, Balotelli came close to extending his side's lead on the hour when he flashed a shot over the bar.

Croatia eventually got themselves level with 20 minutes to play as Mario Mandzukic bagged his third goal of the tournament thanks to a smart finish at the back post from Ivan Strinic's cross.

Despite both sides having enough time to find a winner, they were both guilty of a lack of attacking intent as the match ended with honours even.

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Andrea Pirlo
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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