Euro Qualifiers: Top 5 Performers of Matchday 3

Marco Reus in action against Belarus
Marco Reus in action against Belarus

#3 Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan, Croatia)

Perisic put in a solid performance as Croatia overcame Wales 2-1
Perisic put in a solid performance as Croatia overcame Wales 2-1

Croatia grabbed a crucial 2-1 win against Ryan Giggs' Wales side thanks to an own goal from James Lawrence and a neat finish from Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic. David Brooks managed to get one back for the Welshmen in the 77th minute, but the Vatreni managed to hold on till the final whistle in Osjek, Croatia.

The Welsh defence looked shaky throughout with Croatian forwards Andrej Kramaric and Perisic constantly closing them down with their pace. Perisic broke down the left wing in the 17th minute after being found by a brilliant long ball from Luka Modric. The Inter winger dribbled into the box and unleashed a fierce cutback which was bundled into his own goal by James Lawrence in an attempt to cover Kramaric.

Gareth Bale and new Manchester Untied signing Daniel James were kept quiet thoughout the game by a well drilled Croatian defence overseen by Liverpool's Dejan Lovren and Besiktas' centre back Domagoj Vida.

The Wales defence was again suspect for the second goal with left back Ben Davies giving the ball away to Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic. The Inter Milan man found Andrej Kramaric in the box, who was disposessed by by a brilliant tackle from Joe Allen. The rebound from the tackle however, ran straight into the path of Ivan Perisic, who overpowered Lawrence to slot the ball in with his right foot.

After having lost their last qualifier to Group E leaders Hungary, this was an important win Croatia, who now sit 2nd in the standings with 2 wins from 3 games. Wales slipped to 4th spot behind Slovakia with one win and one loss from their opening two games.

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