Croatia keep pace with leaders Sweden

Croatia cruised to a 4-0 win over a defensive Iceland side in yesterday's Group Eight qualifier to stay two points behind leaders Sweden. Two goals from Niko Kovac and one apiece by Josip Simunic and Dado Prso sealed the victory that takes Croatia into...

Croatia cruised to a 4-0 win over a defensive Iceland side in yesterday's Group Eight qualifier to stay two points behind leaders Sweden.

Two goals from Niko Kovac and one apiece by Josip Simunic and Dado Prso sealed the victory that takes Croatia into second place above Bulgaria.

Sweden are top with 12 points from five matches after a 3-0 win away to Bulgaria. Croatia are now second with 10 points from four matches with Bulgaria slipping to third on seven points.

Croatia piled on the pressure from the start before Kovac's close-range header put the home side ahead in the 39th minute.

Croatia put the game beyond Iceland's reach with two goals from Simunic (71) and then Kovac (75) before Prso wrapped up victory with a 20-metre shot in stoppage time.

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