Gianluigi Buffon's first-half mistake gifted Croatia a 1-1 draw away at Italy in their Euro 2016 qualifier to leave the sides level at the top of Group H.

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Croatia, who were installed as favourites before the game, began positively and only a combination of smart reactions from Buffon and poor finishing from Domagoj Vida prevented them from taking the lead in the seventh minute.

Against the run of play, the hosts went in front when Antonio Candreva drove a low shot into the far corner from 25 yards after Simone Zaza's initial shot was blocked.

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Italy's lead lasted all of five minutes though, as Ivan Perisic's bobbling shot squirmed underneath the body of the usually reliable Buffon to make it 1-1.

The host's patchy opening half hour evidently left Antonio Conte unimpressed, as he sent on Roberto Soriano for the ineffectual Manuel Pasqual, while Croatia were also forced into a change as Luka Modric left the pitch with a muscle injury.

Buffon made another error on the stroke of half time, but his blushes were spared by Andrea Ranocchia, who cleared Ivica Olic's goalbound header off the line.

Danijel Subasic made his first real save of the game three minutes into the second half when he pushed away a powerful drive by Zaza.

Much like the first half, Croatia dominated the majority of play without creating many clear-cut chances, and Italy seemed content to hit them on the break.

Conte threw on Stephan El Shaarawy in search of a winner and the change almost paid dividends as the diminutive attacker stepped inside from the left wing and thumped a powerful strike just over the frame of Subasic's goal.

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The game was then halted for 10 minutes after Croatian fans threw flares onto the pitch for the second time in the match.

When play resumed, Italy began to dominate the game, but they were lucky to see Perisic's late strike fall inches wide of the far post as both sides had to settle for a point.