Croatia comeback sinks Swiss

By Paolo Menicucci at Stadio Comunale Libero Masini

Croatia twice came from behind to book their place in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-finals at the expense of Switzerland.

Late goals decisive
Despite leading 1-0 and being safe at 2-2, the Swiss departed thanks to three late Croatian goals and the Netherlands' 2-1 win against Israel. Croatia finish top of Group B and have set up a tie with Turkey on Wednesday.

Sommer saves
Switzerland were clearly the better side in the early stages of the game. Ivan Rakitic broke through and found Beqim Halimi but goalkeeper Ivan Kelava was prompt to rush out and take the ball away from the striker's feet. The Swiss continued to press and were unlucky when Daniel Pavlovic hit the post with a powerful left-foot shot. Croatia raised their game and Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer then did well to deny Stipe Bacelic-Grgic and Vidovic.

Swiss lead
Halimi broke the deadlock on 27 minutes, tucking in the rebound after Moreno Costanzo's effort had been parried by Kelava. Just before the break Nikola Kalinic had a good opportunity to equalise but failed to angle his left-shot shot past Sommer.

Croatian goals
Parity was restored ten minutes after half-time when Kalinic advanced down the Croatia left, dribbled past two Switzerland defenders and fired a fantastic strike into the top corner. Three minutes later Dejan Lovren headed in a left-wing corner delivered by Stipe Bacelic-Grgic to put Croatia in front.

Attacking football
The defender's joy was short-lived, however, as he deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper from Rakitic's free-kick seven minutes later to make it 2-2. In hindsight, a draw would have been enough to carry both sides through to the last four but both sides continued to play attacking football.

Fate sealed
In the end Croatia stepped up a gear in the last ten minutes. Kalinic saw his 70th-minute effort parried but Vidovic was on hand to tap in the rebound and it was 4-2 eight minutes later after Gaetano Berardi had fouled Bacelic-Grgic in the box and Kalinic scored from the spot. Swiss full-back Remo Staubli's own goal at the death sealed his side's fate.