For a Wales side who were in the midst of their longest winless run since 2001 prior to tonight, a strong start would’ve been high on the agenda. Danny Ward was largely to thank for the fact they didn’t fall behind early, beating away an Andrej Kramarić effort as Croatian pressure began to build on the Welsh goal.
Ivan Perišić came even closer for the hosts when he flashed an effort wide of the target, before he did eventually break Welsh resistance when his deflected strike nestled in the net, only for the referee to pull it back for a foul in the build-up and hand Wales a reprieve.
Wales failed to take advantage though, as almost straight from the restart Croatia won the ball back and after springing a swift counter, Kramarić bamboozled Neco Williams before firing home beyond a desperate Ward dive.
Harry Wilson spearheaded the Welsh response, but his unusually wayward free-kick ensured Rob Page’s side trailed at the break.
The tide certainly shifted after the interval, with the visitors getting on the front foot and posing much more of a threat. Daniel James spurned his side's best opportunity for an equaliser, firing wide at the near post after being found in space in the area by Harry Wilson.
A triple change from Page shortly after the hour mark signalled his intent, but when Williams fired over from the edge of the area, there was a growing sense it wouldn’t be Wales’ night.
It looked set to prove that way too, but one of Page’s substitutes, Nathan Broadhead, popped up at the back post to prod home a precious equaliser from Connor Roberts’ long throw for Wales and send the Red Wall into absolute bedlam.
A point is certainly a respectable result for the Dragons in what is the toughest test Group D has to offer, but it’s undoubtedly disappointing for Croatia, who missed the chance to start their qualification campaign with three points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Andrej Kramarić (Croatia)
