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Match report in news

  • 92'
    Croatia book their place in the World Cup! A stalemate in Athens seals both teams' fate after the 4-1 result in Zagreb.
Substitution

Substitution

at Croacia
  • 90'
    Mitrovic on for Modric.
  • 90'
    2 minutes of stoppage time.
  • 87'
    Kramaric looked to curl a ball into the top corner but it was just off target.
  • 86'
    Subasic saves Tachtsidis' volley from inside the box.
  • 85'
    Rebic on for Perisic.
Goal disallowed

Goal disallowed

  • 78'
    Goal disallowed! Sokratis is offside as he finds Pelkas to tap into the net. They thought they were back in it...
  • 77'
    Kalinic is replaced by Kramaric.
  • 74'
    Greece have practically given up on the hope of making it to Russia.
  • 65'
    Greece with a rare burst into Croatia's area. The low cross comes in but Subasic gathers after a couple of deflections. A comeback seems utterly miraculous now.
  • 60'
    Lazaros and Bakasetas make way for Fortounis and Gianniotas.
  • 57'
    That is the chance that would have given Greece hope. Mitroglou finds space for the first time all night and flashes his effort just wide of the post.
  • 55'
    The game has entered a favourable stage for the visitors, meandering nowhere. The home supporters have gone rather quiet.
  • 50'
    Greece continue to drive forward with hope. A goal could cause panic for the Croats.
  • 45'
    Croatia get the ball rolling again.
  • 45'
    Both teams are back on the pitch. 45 minutes to decide who will be in the World Cup next summer.
  • 45'
    Both teams return to the dressing rooms with Croatia 45 minutes closer to the World Cup. Greece leave all the work for the second half.
  • 45'
    2 added minutes.
  • 42'
    Perisic with a stunning strike! The Inter man unleashes a fierce effort with his left foot and it swrves before smacking the inside of the post.
  • 41'
    Zeca crosses from the right and it's headed on for Retsos at the back post but Subasic gets there just in time to palm it away.
  • 39'
    Croatia doing their best to frustrate Greece, who are appealing for everything.
  • 34'
    Greece want a booking for Strinic who stuck out an arm as Christodoulopoulos tried to round him.
  • 28'
    Perisic is always dangerous cutting in from the left. He dummies a couple of times before skewing a low shot wide of the near post.
  • 25'
    Kalinic is brought down inches outside the box by Torosidis. Rakitic blazes the free-kick over.
  • 23'
    Tachstidis goes in the book for his protests.
  • 22'
    Greece have been well on top here, but they are lacking the cutting edge to trouble Croatia.
  • 17'
    Huge chance for Greece! Sokratis volleys from the edge of the box and it whistles agonisingly wide of the post. A goal will really pile pressure on Croatia.
  • 13'
    Bakasetas fires over the bar from distance.
  • 11'
    Zeca and Strinic go down inside the box and Greece fans are up in arms when the referee blows for a free-kick to the visitors.
  • 10'
    Croatia have managed to quell the Greek's initial enthusiasm and have settled on the ball. Time is definitely on their side.
  • 8'
    Croatia are waiting patiently inside their own half. They launch a first attack and win a corner, but it comes to nothing.
  • 3'
    Bright start from Greece who are passing the ball around with urgency. They need at least three goals to keep their hopes alive.
  • 1'
    Greece kick off the match. On the front foot from the start.
Start of match

Start of match

  • PRVW
    The stadium erupts into song for the Greek national anthem. Not quite full here in Athens, even though the away supporters are not allowed into the stadium.
  • PRVW
    Greece and Croatia walk out led by the team of officials. Time for the national anthems.
  • PRVW
    Everything ready in Piraeus. Great atmosphere for the Greeks to attempt an epic turnaround.
  • PRVW
    While Greece have made several changes to the team that lost 4-1 in Zagreb, Croatia have made just one, Mandzukic coming in for Kramaric. The hosts will look for the miracle from the start and Croatia will have to avoid complacency.
  • PRVW
    Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Strinic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Perisic, Modric, Mandzukic, Kalinic
  • PRVW
    Greece: Karnezis, Torosidis, Sokratis, Manolas, Retsos, Tziolis, Tachtsidis, Zeca, Bakasetas, Lazaros, Mitroglou
  • PRVW
Info

Pre-match

12 November 2017, 20:45

Referee: Björn Kuipers

  • PRVW
    Good evening and welcome to the World Cup qualifier between Greece and Croatia, with the latter holding a huge 4-1 advantage. Greece will do their utmost to turn the tie around and book a spot in next summer's World Cup.