Mateo Kovacic scores twice to fire Croatia to win over Türkiye

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Mateo Kovacic fired Croatia to a 2-0 victory against Türkiye in the second match of the EURO 2024 qualification round for Group D on Tuesday.

Kerem Akturkoglu slotted the ball into the net, but his goal was ruled offside in the 11th minute at Bursa Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium.

After nine minutes, Croatia opened the scoring when Mateo Kovacic fired a close-range finish, assisted by Mario Pasalic.

Chelsea star Kovacic scored a left-footed goal in additional time in the first half.

Neither national team produced a goal in the second half as the match ended 2-0 in favor of the Croatians.

In another Group D clash, Wales secured a narrow win over Latvia as the goal came from Kieffer Moore at Cardiff City Stadium.

First-place Wales and second-place Croatia collected four points each while Türkiye are third with three points.

Armenia and Latvia have no points so far.

Tuesday's results:

Group A:

Georgia - Norway: 1-1

Scotland - Spain: 2-0

Group D:

Türkiye - Croatia: 0-2

Wales - Latvia: 1-0

Group I:

Switzerland - Israel: 3-0

Romania - Belarus: 2-1

Kosovo - Andorra: 1-1