Scotland vs. Croatia Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

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at Internationaled.org

Published: October 15, 2013

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Goals from Robert Snodgrass and Steven Naismith enabled Scotland to finish their World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note with an impressive 2-0 win over Croatia at Hampden Park.

Gordon Strachan's men were tipped to struggle against the Baltic side but were never troubled by the visitors, whose side contained Luka Modric and Nikica Jelavic.

Despite a bright opening from Croatia, where they dominated proceedings early on, Scotland looked more hungry to finish on a high. That is also in spite of the fact that Croatia had not fully secured their World Cup play-off spot.

Alan Hutton could have easily seen red early on for a wild two-footed lunge but also escaped a booking. On another day, a stronger punishment could have been handed to the Mallorca full-back.

Some desperate defending, including a superb block from Ikechi Anya to deny Mario Mandzukic, saved Scotland from going behind. And it proved to be important: Charlie Mulgrew's inch-perfect cross then found Norwich midfielder Snodgrass in the box and he towered above the defence to head home.

Snodgrass was then denied a second after a wonderful stop from Stipe Pletikosa, who turned the winger's effort on to the post.

Eduardo, the former Arsenal striker now at Shakhtar Donetsk, came on at half-time and almost scored, rounding Allan McGregor before hitting the side netting with his effort.

Just minutes later, Scotland had their reward for their perseverance with the excellent Anya being hauled down in the penalty area. Barry Bannan stepped up but saw his weak effort palmed away by Pletikosa before Naismith's quick reaction to hammer home.

The game eventually fizzled out as Croatia's frustrations boiled over, and while Scotland will be disappointed to be missing out on another World Cup finals, the performance would have encouraged the supporters.

But Croatia's shock loss has resulted in coach Igor Stimac...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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