Euro 2012: Italy 1 - 1 Croatia - Pirlo Perfection Nullified

An exquisite set piece from Andrea Pirlo was cancelled out by Croatia's Euro 2012 goal machine Mario Mandzukic to share the honours in Poznan. The Italian's looked the better team from the first half and had the best of the chances in the first 45 minutes. The first to test Croatia's resolve was Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio. Capitalising on a blocked Mario Balotelli shot to strike a thunderous shot which just fizzed over the bar. Balotelli himself also forced a save out of former Tottenham goalkeeper Pletikosa with a snap shot just outside the eighteen yard box. It was Marchisio again though who provided the best chance of the game before the opening goal. Stipe Pletikosa was tested to the limit of his abilities, having to pull off a double save to prevent the player from putting Italy in front after a wonderful piece of play in the box. However it was only two minutes later that the lively looking Balotelli won a free kick in a dangerous area for Italy which Andrea Pirlo capitalised on. The Italian stalwart capped off the Italian first half performance with a wonderfully struck free kick which was just too accurate for Pletikosa. Despite the first half belonging to the Italian's, the second half gave Croatia their time to shine. Playing through the numerous interferences from the crowd, caused by flares being thrown on the pitch, the red and white check clad eleven had no intentions weren't going to lie down for the Italians. With the Azzurri sitting back on their one goal lead, Luka Modric was allowed more space further up the pitch to wreak havoc in the final third. Combining with Ivan Rakitic the Tottenham midfielder fired a shot that was only just over the bar, keeping Gianluigi Buffon on his toes. But it was Croatia's top scorer for the tournament who finally broke the deadlock. Putting his goal tally up to three for the tournament thus far, Mario Mandzukic struck again for Croatia. The chance originated from a dominating piece of play, with full back Ivan Strinic drilling in a long cross to the far post for Mandzukic to control and put away into the top corner beyond Buffon. Even after the goal the game looked like it could only be won by the Croatians but the Italian back line held out for the draw. Cesare Prandelli's team will no doubt be frustrated with just the single point taken from the game, meaning that they will need to secure a victory over Ireland in Group C's final round of fixtures. However the margin of that victory will only become clear after Spain's fixture against the Irish later tonight. Croatia boss Slaven Bilic will also have sense of unease after the draw but should come out of the game with a sense of pride over his teams performance against the former World Champions.