Croatia Vs Australia

Australia made history by twice coming from behind against Croatia to earn the point they needed to claim a place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup™.

The Socceroos lost all three games in their one previous appearance on the world stage in 1974 but a 2-2 draw with Croatia in Stuttgart was enough to secure second place in Group F and a second-round tie against Italy in Kaiserslautern on 26 June. Australia finished with four points from three matches, two clear of third-placed Croatia.

On a nervy night, Croatia opened the scoring through Darijo Srna’s second-minute free-kick. Craig Moore drew Australia level from the penalty spot on 38 minutes but the balance swung back Croatia’s way when Niko Kovac’s shot was fumbled by Zeljko Zalac in the 56th minute. However, Harry Kewell struck the decisive second Australian goal 11 minutes from time.

The match:
2': Amid an absolutely incredible, spine-tingling atmosphere, Croatia raced into an early lead with their first goal at Germany 2006. Australia captain Mark Viduka brought down fellow skipper Niko Kovac 25 metres out and Darijo Srna curled a superb free-kick over the top of the wall past giant goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, who was starting ahead of Mark Schwarzer (1-0).

14': Harry Kewell tried a hopeful drive from distance, cutting across the ball with his left foot but it failed to swerve and passed wide.

17': Tim Cahill teed up Jason Culina from 20 metres, but his shot was deflected past the post for a corner during a period of sustained pressure by Australia.

28': Cahill had a good chance with a close-range header but the ball seemed to come more off his shoulder and Stipe Pletikosa gathered it safely.

29': Pletikosa had a little more work to do this time, diving low to his right to block a powerful drive by Kewell. Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar cut an extremely anxious figure on the touchline, screaming instructions to his beleaguered players who could not keep possession.

33': Culina became the latest player to fire a shot in, but the attempt passed wide.

38': Australia drew level with a penalty after Stjepan Tomas handled a cross inside the area. Craig Moore stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, sending the passionate Aussie contingent into raptures (1-1).

Australian defender Craig Moore (L) jubilates after scoring a penalty as Croatian midfielder Darijo Srna looks dejected during the World Cup 2006 group F football match Croatia vs Australia, 22 June 2006 at Stuttgart stadium.

39': Kalac makes hearts skip a beat all around the deafening stadium by dropping a corner near his goalline but the ball was deemed to have already passed out of play.

42': Viduka got his head to Scott Chipperfield’s cross but it was straight at Pletikosa.

43': Dado Prso brought Croatia back to life with a surging run but he blazed wide with his left foot.

Croatians rally50':
Croatia seemed much more positive at the start of the second half than they were for most of the first period when they were on the back foot and Niko Kranjcar went close with a right-footed drive.

53': Kovac could not keep a header down from inside the five-metre line and it passed well over the bar, though the Croatia fans were singing their team’s praises once more.

72': Pletikosa performed heroics with two great stops within a minute, first with a point-blank reflex save to deny Kewell, who seemed destined to score, then he just about held onto a stabbed attempt by Kewell again when the Croatian was right on the goalline, despite the attentions of Cahill and John Aloisi bearing down right on top of him.

79': Australia equalised and this time Kewell was not to be denied. Aloisi flicked on a cross with his head and the Liverpool winger controlled it before blasting a right-footed volley into the corner. The see-saw nature of the occasion was now firmly tilted back in Australia’s favour. (2-2).


Australian forward Harry Kewell (R) scores as Croatian midfielder Darijo Srna (R) falls during the World Cup 2006 group F football match Croatia vs Australia, 22 June 2006 at Stuttgart stadium.

Australian forward Harry Kewell jubilates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2006 group F football match Croatia vs Australia, 22 June 2006 at Stuttgart stadium.

85': Kovac was sent off after being shown his second yellow card by English referee Graham Poll.

87': Brett Emerton became the second player to be red-carded in the space of two minutes after a deliberate handball earned him a second caution.

92+': Cahill put the ball in the net but the effort was ruled out and in a frantic finish to the match, Croatia's Josip Simunic was also shown the red card.

In conclusion:Stuttgart played host to a night of unforgettable drama, where both sides could have progressed to the second round at different stages, but at the end it was Australia who were celebrating and heading to Kaiserslautern to face Italy on Monday.