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Perisic in action against Wales' Will Vaulks on Saturday. Adam Davy

Inter star Perisic scores one and sets up another in Euro 2020 qualifier win against Wales

Having lost in Hungary last time out, Croatia got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign back on track.

IVAN PERISIC SCORED one goal and made the other as Croatia overcame Wales 2-1 in Euro 2020 qualifying in Osijek on Saturday.

Zlatko Dalicโ€™s side had lost their last Group E game against Hungary in March, but got back on track thanks to James Lawrenceโ€™s first-half own goal and Perisicโ€™s 48th-minute strike following some shambolic Welsh defending.

Lawrence was unlucky to put through his own net, failing to sort his feet out when racing back towards goal, and the Anderlecht defender was one of three Wales players whose failure to clear allowed Perisic to increase the hostsโ€™ lead.

Substitute David Brooksโ€™ deflected effort 13 minutes from time gave Ryan Giggsโ€™ men hope of a comeback but they could not force an equaliser as the World Cup finalists held on for victory.

An eventful opening saw Perisic twice blaze over, either side of Harry Wilson volleying an even more presentable chance straight at Dominik Livakovic from Gareth Baleโ€™s quick-thinking long throw.

And Wales were made to pay for that miss in the 17th minute as Perisic got in behind down the left and drilled a low cross towards Andrej Kramaric that Lawrence deflected in.

Kramaric fired off-target as Croatia sought a second prior to half-time, although they were almost caught cold as Livakovic saved from Will Vaulks and then thwarted Ben Daviesโ€™ rebound.

Within three minutes of the restart, Croatia doubled their lead as Wales gave the ball away and failed three times to clear their lines, allowing Perisic to rifle home.

Bale shot straight at Livakovic when well placed but the Croatia goalkeeper was completely wrong-footed when Brooksโ€™ attempt flicked off Domagoj Vidaโ€™s head and in.

Brooksโ€™ weak effort in stoppage time proved the last chance for a dramatic leveller, though, as Wales were made to rue leaving themselves a mountain to climb in searing 30-degree heat.

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    Mute Hibernicus
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    Dec 15th 2023, 1:54 PM

    I like GAA too! If only I cold find a way to wriggle out of my PAYE obligations, I could then throw out a bit of the cash Iโ€™d save to my pet sport and everyone would say Iโ€™m a great fella.

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Dec 15th 2023, 1:55 PM

    @Hibernicus: Thereโ€™s always one who has nothing good to say.

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    Mute Hibernicus
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    Dec 15th 2023, 2:59 PM

    @Richard Ford: You misunderstood, I am inspired & keen to emulate the great man!

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    Mute Rocky R
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    Dec 15th 2023, 3:36 PM

    @Hibernicus: the man owns and runs a Swiss based company where he is clearly doing pretty well. This is also where he pays tax. I appreciate that might be a difficult concept to wrap your head around when youโ€™ve likely spent your life in the one village.

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Dec 15th 2023, 3:51 PM

    @Hibernicus: . Well then please do your very best to do so. All donations gratefully accepted Hibernicus.

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    Mute Paul Odeier
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    Dec 15th 2023, 3:59 PM

    @Hibernicus: typical

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    Mute Hibernicus
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    Dec 15th 2023, 5:53 PM

    @Paul Odeier: succinct!

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    Mute David o'shanahan
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    Dec 16th 2023, 8:49 PM

    @Hibernicus:you come across as a great fella.revenue are crying out for great fellas

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    Mute Mike Kennedy
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    Dec 15th 2023, 4:29 PM

    As I said to Shane below, we are a tax haven. Tax avoidance is the way of the world. We gratefully accept multiple billions from corporations who base their headquarters here to avoid tax. We canโ€™t have it both ways. People be careful not to fall off their high horses.

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    Mute Shane Griffin
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    Dec 15th 2023, 2:59 PM

    Fantastic balanced journalism from the headline down, exactly why I decided to pay for a subscription.

    I look forward to the day when I can stop paying tax like all the smart people and donate an iPad to the club raffle for a gushing write-up in the local paper.

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    Mute David Staed
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    Dec 15th 2023, 4:23 PM

    @Shane Griffin: When are you expecting to become one of the smart people?

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    Mute Mike Kennedy
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    Dec 15th 2023, 4:25 PM

    @Shane Griffin: how do you feel about the fact that Ireland is a tax haven? Do you think we should send back the multiple billions we receive from tax dodging corporations every year???

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