Rakitić earns Croatia draw with Slovakia

It is as you were at the top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 7 after leaders Croatia were held by nearest rivals Slovakia.

Defender Domagoj Vida's late strike earned Dražen Ladić's side a late winner when these sides met in November but it would not be an evening to remember for either back line in Varazdin. Michal Duris's opener on the half-hour mark came after confusion between centre-backs Tomislav Barbarić and Dejan Lovren, though nobody could be blamed for Ivan Rakitić's stunning equaliser two minutes later. That the scores remained 1-1 was all down to brilliant performances from the goalkeepers.

The omens looked bad for the home side as Nikola Kalinić was forced off injured midway through the first half and lax defending allowed the opener. Skipper Rakitić turned things around in some style, however, firing a memorable effort into the top-left corner. It took an excellent stop from Martin Dúbravka to deny the FC Schalke 04 midfielder a winner seven minutes from time, though defeat would have been harsh on a Slovakia side themselves frustrated by the heroics of Ivan Kelava.