Modric to miss crunch qualifier with Malta

Head coach Ante Cacic said afterwards that Modric was taken off simply as a precaution, but the Croatian Football Association has now confirmed he will sit out Tuesday’s encounter.

Luka Modric set up Perisic in the six-yard box and the Inter Milan winger beat Bulgaria goalkeeper Bozhidar Mitrev to score his fifth goal in eight games for his country.

Ivan Perisic of Inter and Fiorentina’s Nikola Kalinic scored for Croatia, while Wales and Belgium qualified for Euro 2016.

In the 12th minute, Bulgaria’s Aleksandar Tonev found space on the left and hit a bullet strike from 25 yards towards the far post that was saved by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

In 42nd minute, Ivan Rakitic doubled Croatian lead.

Kalinic’s wish to carry his scoring form from Fiorentina to national team was granted in 81st minute.

The exclusively draw back to Croatia’s victory was a pink card proven within the 89th minute to Malaga ahead Duje Cop who got here instead and can miss a match at Malta.

Croatia – which has already lost Mario Mandzukic from its squad through injury – now occupies third position in Group H, two points behind second-placed Norway.

Any other outcome of those games will push Croatia to playoffs for remaining four places in the 24-team tournament that France will host next year.