Luka Modric's early penalty secured Croatia a scarcely-deserved 1-0 opening group stage victory over tournament co-hosts Austria in Vienna.
The attacking midfielder coolly slotted home a fourth minute spot-kick after Rene Aufhauser clumsily brought down Ivica Olic in the penalty area to settle an entertaining Group B clash.However, Slaven Bilic's much-fancied side were fortunate to hold onto their slender lead and failed to test home keeper Jurgen Macho for the remainder of a match in which Austria grew in self-belief.
Following the early shock, Austria steadily gained a foothold in the game and, although they lacked any real quality in the final third, it was they who carved out the best opportunities. The closest Croatia came to a second goal was a snatched volley from Mladen Petric from a tight angle on 35 minutes when he had beaten the offside trap.
At the other end, Joachim Standfest guided an angled header from 15 yards over the bar three minutes from the half-time interval, before Martin Harnik failed to make contact with a low cross from the right byline as Austria visibly grew in confidence.
Dangerman Harnik went close in the 78th minute as he profited from substitute Roman Kienast making a nuisance of himself in the box but could only drive a shot from 18 yards over the crossbar.
Ivica Vastic's header from distance soon after was claimed by an uncertain Stipe Pletikosa at the second attempt, before the keeper was forced to palm away a shot from lively substitute Umit Korkmaz which would have crept inside the far post from just inside the area.Kienast glanced an eight-yard header wide in stoppage time and with that went Austria's best chance of a deserved point after a spirited performance against disappointing opposition.
1st Half Highlights
2nd Half Highlights
Goals
Bilic believes Croatia will improve
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