Croatia

3.04

• 
  22

  1

  2.50

  Stipe Pletikosa

  Was a spectator for most of the game, however he maintained his concentration throughout and when he was called on he performed his duties without a problem. Saved well from a King header in the second half.

• 
  17

  3

  2.50

  Dejan Lovren

  Had a quiet game at the back as he wasn’t required to do much defending and was a threat from set-pieces when pushing forward. Replaced at half-time by Schildenfeld.

• 
  31

  1

  4.00

  Darijo Srna Top of the Match

  Was outstanding as he caused problems in the Welsh defence with accurate crossing particularly from set-pieces. Raided down the right effectively and gave Davies a lot of trouble. Defensively he was rarely troubled and was allowed to raid at will.

• 
  17

  3

  3.00

  Ivan Strinic

  Was able to run down the left without a problem as Bale was often double marked, however when the Tottenham man did have the ball he defended stoutly and didn’t give him any room. Crossing in the final third could have been better as he failed to beat the first man.

• 
  17

  3

  2.50

  Josip Simunic

  Didn’t have to do much defending but when called upon he was solid. Only negative against was when he brought down Bale in a dangerous area in the first half which led to a set-piece which presented a good chance for the Welsh.

• 
  22

  2

  3.00

  Ivan Perisic

  His crossing from the left caused the Welsh problems, his movement also troubled the Welsh as he drifted in and out of his wide role and shifted into the middle where he often found space and time on the ball.

• 
  26

  2

  3.50

  Ivan Rakitic

  Unlucky to see early shot which looked to be heading blocked. Always caused problems in and around the box with well timed runs down the right and occasionally through the middle. His crossing was also good as Wales struggled to cope with his movement in dangerous areas.

• 
  58

  2

  4.00

  Luka Modric

  Fantastic game as he pulled the strings in the midfield, everything Croatia did going forward went through him. His passing was sublime and at its surgical best as he dissected the Welsh defence at times. Drove forward from his deep position and was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet.

• 
  21

  2

  3.00

  Milan Badelj

  Did his job in the midfield without an issue. He supported Modric and the front-men and always seemed to be in the right place in space to provide his team with a good option in midfield.

• 
  36

  2

  3.50

  Eduardo

  Could have had hat-trick as so many chances came his way. His link-up play with his midfield was good but his finishing wasn’t good enough as it could have been but he still managed to get on the score-sheet although he should have hit the target more.

• 
  30

  1

  3.50

  Mario Mandzukic

  Showed good predatory instincts closing down Williams’ back-pass for his goal. He linked-up well with Eduardo up-front as the two forged a good understanding leading to chances for the home side. Was good in the air and won his aerially battles against Williams. Could have scored more goals if his finishing was better.

Substitutions

• 
  14

  3

  Domagoj Vida

  Came on late as a substitute and maintained his team's level of performance as they closed out the game comfortably.

• 
  14

  3

  2.50

  Gordon Schildenfeld

  Came on a substitute at half-time and had a quiet game as Wales struggled going forward. His distribution was good as he often found a team-mate in space quickly to start attacks.

• 
  17

  4

  2.00

  Niko Kranjcar

  The former Tottenham man played a few nice passes but didn't make much of an impact after coming on in the 77th minute.

Wales

1.73

• 
  1

  5

  2.50

  Lewis Price

  Inconsistent performance. Made a good save early on from a dangerous Srna free-kick and another from Rakitic soon after. However, was at fault for Mandzukic’s strike as he fired his clearance straight at him leaving him with a simple finish. Kept the scoreline down with good saves late on.

• 
  1

  9

  1.00

  Ashley Williams Flop of the Match

  His back-pass to Price was under-hit allowing Mandzukic to close down the keeper resulting in his 27th minute strike. Struggled with the threat of the striker in the air as he lost several aerial battles and gave away free-kicks. Made a good clearance off the line in the second half.

• 
  3

  6

  1.50

  Ben Davies

  Couldn’t stop Srna from delivering the ball from the right in the first half which led to several opportunities for Croatia which on another day could have been more costly. Wasn’t able to cope with the quality of the two players on the right as they were able to threaten with ease.

• 
  2

  6

  1.50

  Chris Gunter

  Booked for a poor challenge in the second half but he struggled to cope with the overlapping threat of Strinic and Perisic as they seemed to fire crosses in at will into the Wales box. Wasn’t helped a great deal by Bale but could have done better to stop the flow of crosses.

• 
  2

  7

  2.00

  Darcy Blake

  Made a few good clearances to keep the ball away from the Croatia strikers but couldn’t stop the onslaught from the home-side and was powerless to stop his team conceding the goals they did.

• 
  2

  5

  1.50

  David Vaughan

  Anonymous throughout the game as he wasn’t able to play his natural game and pass the ball. He wasn’t able to get near the Croatia midfielders and stop their dominance of possession.

• 
  21

  5

  3.00

  Gareth Bale

  The Tottenham winger was often doubled team as he looked to get involved in the game on the right. Despite this he made several good runs which earned his side free kicks in dangerous areas. Was Wales best player as he did a lot for the team with very little possession. Made a late great solo run which nearly resulted in a goal.

• 
  3

  8

  1.50

  Joe Allen

  Didn’t see any of the ball as he was restricted to a defensive role so he wasn’t able to play his usual passing game. He wasn’t able to pressurise Modric or the rest of the Croatia midfield as the home-side dominated possession.

• 
  2

  5

  1.50

  Joe Ledley

  Couldn’t affect the game as he would have liked as he was starved of the ball. He tried to get back and defend but couldn’t support his full-back as well as he could have as too many crosses came in from the right.

• 
  2

  5

  2.00

  Andy King

  Saw his header well saved by Pletikosa as he had Wales’ best chance. He drifted in and out of the game and was restricted to a defensive role. He tried to get back and support his defence as much as he could which stifled his side’s attacking options.

• 
  1

  5

  1.00

  Steve Morison

  Didn’t see the ball in the first half as Croatia were camped in the Wales half of the pitch. He tried his best to hold the ball when Wales cleared but wasn’t able to do so as he lacked support from his team-mates.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  2

  2.00

  Simon Church

  Tried to get the Welsh back into the game as tried to hold the ball up and give his midfielders time to push up, which he had more success than Morison at but not enough to make an impact on the score-line.

• 
  2

  2

  1.50

  Sam Vokes

  Didn't have enough time to make an impact on the game after coming on as a substitute in the second half.