Modric moment of class lifts Croatia to 1-0 win over Turkey

Luka Modric says Croatia’s players know how good they are and feels their play was like that of a top nation after kicking off UEFA Euro 2016 with a 1-0 win over Turkey at Parc des Princes in Group D.

In the 41th minute between Turkey and Croatia, Turkey cleared the corner but a looped clearance found its way to Luka Modric and the Real Madrid man sent a fabulous dipping first-time volley from 25 yards through the crowd of red shirts.

Boosted by the first half goal, Croatia upped the anti in the second stanza but were foiled by the Turkish defence, with Darijo Srna coming closest in the 52nd minute as his free-kick struck the wordwork.

Turkey’s best chance was missed by midfielder Ozan Tufan in the 29th minute when his effort was stopped by Croatian ‘keeper Danijel Subasic on the line.

Arda Turan issued a public apology for his own performance in Turkey’s 1-0 loss to Croatia at Euro 2016.

In the first Euro 2016 match after Saturday’s violence at the match between Russian Federation and England in Marseille, French police said a stepped-up force of more than 1,500 officers patrolled at the match that is considered at high risk of hooliganism.

Asked if the incident had scared him, Modric told reporters: “It could have been a supporter from Turkey, but thank God it was our supporter!”

Modric’s goal stood out in a mostly uninspiring first half.

This match is going to be one of the most entertaining games of football and predicting a favourite team is not that much easy for me amongst both these teams.

Brozovic whistled a volley narrowly over as Croatia continued to threaten a second, but they were denied by the frame of the goal once more when Perisic’s header from Mario Mandzukic’s delivery glanced off the bar.

But the two teams’ determination to play through the middle of the pitch made for a narrow, niggly encounter at the Parc des Princes home of French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Pacak said in a statement: ‘We’ll see when exactly will he join the team again’.

“Luka really deserves to be talked about, especially after this match”, said Croatia coach Ante Cacic.

Amid so much aerial play, there were collisions and casualties. Tosun was shown a yellow card and Corluka sported a large white bandage until halftime.

Poland had never won a game before at the European Championship, with three draws and three losses over two appearances in 2008 and 2012 – the latter a tournament that they co-hosted with Ukraine.