Mario Mandzukic scored twice as Croatia cruised past Ireland 3-1 in their Euro 2012 opener to take the lead of group C, dpa reported.
Mandzukic scored in the third and 48th minutes for the Croatians, who watched as Sean St Ledger equalised for the Irish in the 13th minute.
The Croatians reclaimed the lead 2-1 at the 43-minute mark through Nikica Jelavic in steady rain at Municipal Stadium in Poznan, Poland.
Croatia lead group C with three points, followed by Italy and Spain with one point each after their 1-1 draw earlier Sunday in Gdansk.