World Cup finalist Croatia slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Hungary on Sunday, continuing their shaky start to European Championship qualifying in a group which looks up for grabs with four teams level on points.
Fresh off a narrow 2-1 win over Azerbaijan in Group E, Croatia took the lead early but lacked coordination in defense, allowing Hungary to level before Mate Patkai snatched the win following a corner.
Ante Rebic gave Croatia the lead in the 13th minute. Noticing a Hungarian player on the ground near the corner flag, Rebic moved in behind the defence while staying onside to score when Luka Modric’s pass took a deflection off Andrej Kramaric.
Hungary equalised with a slick team move, Balazs Dzsudzsak passing into the path of Adam Szalai, who scored from a tight angle in the 34th.
When the ball bobbled off a Croatian head at a corner, Patkai was there to stab it into the net for the 76th-minute winner. Hungary could have scored another soon after if not for Ivan Rakitic blocking on the goal-line.