Turkey beats Croatia 1-0 to open up qualifying Group I

Posted September 05, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Kosovo's Samir Ujkani, right, fights for the ball with Finland's Thomas Lam during the World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match between Kosovo and Finland at Loro Borici stadium, in Shkoder, northern Albania, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press

ESKISEHIR, Turkey (AP) - Cenk Tosun scored a second-half goal to lead Turkey to a 1-0 win over Croatia that blew Group I wide open in European qualifying for next year's World Cup.

The top four teams are separated by just two points with two games left.

Group leader Croatia and Iceland have 16 points each, while Turkey and Ukraine are both just two points behind.

Tosun slammed the ball home in the 75th minute after Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was unable to hold on to a fierce drive by Oguzhan Ozyakyup at a packed stadium in Eskisehir.

The goal came as Croatia, led by playmaker Luka Modric, looked to be in control of the game.

In the other Group I matches, Iceland remains in the qualifying chase after a 2-0 win over Ukraine, while Finland beat Kosovo 1-0.

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SIGURDSSON SHINES

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from a rebound two minutes into the second half and added his second goal in the 66th minute to ensure Iceland stays in contention for a World Cup place.

Iceland had been keeping the momentum going from its inspiring run to the Euro 2016 quarterfinals, until its progress was checked by a 1-0 loss to Finland on Saturday.

But the two goals by midfielder Sigurdsson turned things around for the small nation.

In its final two games in October, Iceland travels to Turkey and hosts Kosovo.

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KOSOVO STAYS WINLESS

Teemu Pukki netted seven minutes before the end for Finland, handing Kosovo its seventh straight defeat in its first major qualifying competition - in a match between the two bottom teams.

After its second straight victory, Finland has seven points, while Kosovo has one.

The match was played in Albania as Kosovo does not have a FIFA-certified stadium.

Kosovo's ,Enis Alushi,right, fights for the ball with Finland's Fredrik Jensen, the World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match between Kosovo and Finland at Loro Borici stadium, in Shkoder, northern Albania, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press

Kosovo's Bernard Berisha, right, fights for the ball with Finland's Sauli Vaisanen during the World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match between Kosovo and Finland at Loro Borici stadium, in Shkoder, northern Albania, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) The Associated Press

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