Ireland 1 Croatia 3

It had been a decade since Ireland had last played at a major tournament; ten long years since Robbie Keane's injury time penalty had taken Spain to extra time and penalties before the heartbreak of defeat. Few would have thought Mendieta's match winning penalty would be Ireland's last tournament action until taking the field against Slavan Bilic's Croatia in Poznan.

Trapattoni has created an Irish side that pride themselves on clean sheets, five in qualifying, but within three minutes they were behind. After a rousing anthem by the boys in green, it was the Croats who started the more confidently and, despite slipping, Mandzukic was still able to take advantage of some slack Irish defending to head home.

Credit to the Irish, though, as they didn't panic and gradually worked their way back into contention. Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle led the line superbly, running their markers into areas they didn't want to go and creating gaps for Duff and Andrews to run into. And it was Doyle who earned the free kick from which Ireland drew level. The goal was a nightmare for Corluka who first fouled the Wolves man before allowing Sean St. Ledger the space to head home at the back post from McGeady's excellent delivery.

This was fast turning into a fascinating battle with both sides living up to their reputations of being defensively sound, whilst also going in search of goals. It looked likely that the half would end all square until a second lapse in concentration at the back cost the Irish. Modric's shot was blocked but, in the melee that followed, Stephen Ward inadvertently played the ball to Nikita Jelavic. The Everton frontman is renowned for scoring the vast majority of his goals with only one touch and he did it again here to lift the ball over the advancing Given.

Jelavic's goal proved decisive with his team looking far more assured in the second period. Ireland, on the other hand, had lost all belief and rarely looked like troubling Pletikosa in the Croatian goal, especially after Mandzukic got his second within minutes of the restart. Trapattoni will surely be angry that his side conceded twice at the start of a half and once right at the end; such a lack of concentration is fatal at this level.

From that point Croatia looked a strong outfit, and may just cause the Spanish and Italians a few problems later this week. Strong defensively, the craft of Modric and Rakitic in midfield, and Jelavic partnered by the imposing Mandzukic up front they can be a match for anyone. For the Irish they have to regroup and try to cut out the defensive errors which proved so costly today.