Vukušić inspires Croatia to Estonia double

A goal from captain Ante Vukušić in each half led Croatia to their second victory in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 5 as they completed the double over rock-bottom Estonia.

Duje Čop and substitute Arijan Ademi added to the HNK Hajduk Split forward's double, leaving the visitors winless after four games. Estonia's best chance came early on, when Mateo Pavlović misjudged a long ball but Hannes Anier could not convert a one-on-one situation with Lovre Kalinić.

They paid for that miss moments later. Goalkeeper Marko Meerits spilled a cross on 14 minutes and Čop gratefully tapped in from close range. Scorer turned provider for the second, sending through the 20-year-old Vukušić to smash in before the break.

Ademi made it three with a quarter of an hour left and when Meerits parried Ivan Paurević's powerful drive after 81 minutes, Vukušić reacted sharpest to take advantage. The captain was given a standing ovation as the teams left the field and Estonia will be glad to see the back of the forward who also scored the only goal when the sides met in Tartu on 10 October.