Srna stuns Sweden as Croatia triumph 1-0

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Darijo Srna netted a second-half winner as Croatia stunned Sweden with a 1-0 away win in World Cup qualifying Group Eight yesterday. Srna crashed home a free-kick on 63 minutes in an ill-tempered match to hand Croatia their...

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Darijo Srna netted a second-half winner as Croatia stunned Sweden with a 1-0 away win in World Cup qualifying Group Eight yesterday.

Srna crashed home a free-kick on 63 minutes in an ill-tempered match to hand Croatia their second win in as many games after cruising to a 3-0 success over Hungary.

Sweden, who routed Malta 7-0 in their opening game, were denied an equaliser when striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal ruled out for a push on Croatian goalkeeper Tomislav Butina.

Tempers flared towards the end with Josip Simunic and Sweden substitute Mattias Jonson booked.

Sweden defender Marcus Allback went close to an equaliser in stoppage time but was denied by a save from Butina.

In the other group match, Iceland, Malta's next opponents, were beaten 3-2 in Hungary. The hosts scored the winner 10 minutes from time.

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