Croatia draws 1-1 with Turkey in World Cup qualifier

ANKARA

The 2018 World Cup qualifier match between Croatia and Turkey ended in a 1-1 draw Monday at the Maksimir stadium in Zagreb.

Croatia took the lead in the 44th minute on a penalty kick by Ivan Rakitic who placed the shot into the bottom left corner.

In the 48th minute of the first half, Hakan Calhanoglu scored the equalizer for Turkey with a free kick that deflected off a Croatian player.

The two other World Cup qualifier matches in Group I between Finland and Kosovo as well as Ukraine and Iceland each ended in 1-1 draw.

Kosovo played its first competitive match Monday as Valon Berisha made history by scoring that country’s first-ever goal after it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and joined FIFA in May.

All six teams in Group I each have one point.

The next stage of Group I qualifying matches will be played on Oct. 6. Turkey will host Ukraine, Kosovo will host Croatia and Iceland will host Finland.

ANKARA

The 2018 World Cup qualifier match between Croatia and Turkey ended in a 1-1 draw Monday at the Maksimir stadium in Zagreb.

Croatia took the lead in the 44th minute on a penalty kick by Ivan Rakitic who placed the shot into the bottom left corner.

In the 48th minute of the first half, Hakan Calhanoglu scored the equalizer for Turkey with a free kick that deflected off a Croatian player.

The two other World Cup qualifier matches in Group I between Finland and Kosovo as well as Ukraine and Iceland each ended in 1-1 draw.

Kosovo played its first competitive match Monday as Valon Berisha made history by scoring that country’s first-ever goal after it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and joined FIFA in May.

All six teams in Group I each have one point.

The next stage of Group I qualifying matches will be played on Oct. 6. Turkey will host Ukraine, Kosovo will host Croatia and Iceland will host Finland.