Modric stunner sees Croatia past Turkey

Paris, June 12 

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric scored a brilliant volley as Croatia defeated Turkey 1-0 in their Euro 2016 Group D opener on Sunday.

Ante Cacic's Croatia dominated throughout, twice hitting the bar in the second half. But it only Modric's 41st-minute strike — his 11th international goal — that separated the teams at the final whistle.

Victory gave Croatia revenge for their elimination on penalties by Turkey in the quarterfinals at Euro 2008, although they had previously beaten them in a qualifying playoff prior to Euro 2012.

Fatih Terim's Turkey now have it all to do ahead of their meeting with defending champions Spain in Nice on Friday. Croatia can already go into their game against the Czech Republic with one eye on the last 16.

The talent in both line-ups had raised hopes of an open contest and it took Croatia less than two minutes to threaten. Ivan Rakitic flung himself at Darijo Srna's cross and hooked a volley across goal.

But the two teams' determination to play through the middle of the pitch made for a narrow, niggly encounter. When Croatia did procure sights of goal, their efforts went either too close to Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Babacan or too far from the target. — Reuters