[VIDEO] Estonia Shock Croatia in Tallinn

Juventus winger Marko Pjaca was stretchered off in the loss (photo credit: HNS)

Croatia have been shocked by Estonia 3-0 in an international friendly in Tallinn on Tuesday evening.

Croatia, resting a number of stars from their 1-0 win over Ukraine on Friday night, were led for the first time by Inter Milan midfielder Ivan Perišić.

Estonia were looking for their first ever victory over Croatia in 8 encounters and took a surprise lead in the opening minute of the match when Siim Luts capitalised on a defensive mistake to make it 1:0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t-dxcpW4iU

The early goal forced Croatia to attack, and despite controlling possession for most of the half, they could not create any significant chances. Kovačić and Perišić were busy without being too dangerous for the Estonian defence.

The next real chance of the match would fall to Estonia in the 40th minute, but a great reflex save by Kalinić off Toomet’s header kept it at 1-0. Mitrović nearly levelled for Croatia just before the break but his header from a corner from the left was well saved.

Croatia started the second half again dominating possession, but they could not create any real chances.

Midway through the second half coach Ante Čačić reverted back to his favoured 4-4-2 formation from the 3-4-3 he started the match with as he introduced Milan Badelj and Josip Pivarić.

The change did not make too much difference as Croatia struggled to carve out any real openings against a determined, well organised and hard-working Estonian side.

The hosts were rewarded with 9 minutes to go when another defensive mistake let substitute Vassisljev in to slot past Kalinić to make it 2-0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-fS_5YEGvM

To put the nail in the coffin Estonia would make it 3-0 just 2 minutes later when Zenjov pounced to score past  Kalinić.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip5WvrDSOI8

There was further bad news for Croatia as Juventus winger Marko Pjaca was carried off from the field in the 62nd minute with an injury to his right knee after twisting it whilst falling to the ground unchallenged.

The loss was coach Čačić’s first in 90 minutes since he took the job.

International Friendly
A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn

Estonia 3-0 Croatia

GOALS: Luts 1′, Vassisljev 81, Zenjov 83′

ESTONIA: Aksalu, Teniste, Baranov, Klavan, Kallaste , Mets, Ar. Dmitrijev, Käit, Toomet (Vassisljev 75′), Luts , Anier (Zenjov 69′)

CROATIA: Kalinić; Lešković, Vida (Jedvaj 84′), Mitrović; Kovačić, Bradarić (Badelj 58′), Rog (Pivarić 58′), Perišić, Pjaca (Ćorić 62′), Čop, Kramarić