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Wales led for most of the game with a spectacular goal from Simon Davies. The Spurs man picked up the ball from the halfway line, took on and beat the Croatian defence and put the ball past a helpless Pletikosa.
The Welsh were faced with immense pressure but looked like taking a fine victory off the home side. Then an Earnshaw backpass was bungled by Southampton keeper Paul Jones and ended up at the feet of Mladen Petric who had no problem in punishing the Welsh for a grave mistake.
It was to be Earnshaw's last involvement in the game as Paul Trollope came on and played out the last 11 minutes.
Paul is the first player to be capped since Colin Hill appeared for Northern Ireland in 1998 and becomes the first player to appear for Wales since 1966 when Graham Moore was also Capped.
Teams:
Croatia: Pletikosa, Zivkovic (Tomas 59), Tapalovic (Butina 45), Simunic (Babic 75), Robert Kovac (Vranjes 59), Niko Kovac (Silvio Maric 45), Saric, Vugrinec (Petric 45), Vlaovic (Leko 45), Rapaic (Bazina 59), Tomislav Maric (Marijo Maric 45).
Subs Not Used: Hrman.
Goals: Petric 79.
Wales: Paul Jones, Delaney, Gabbidon, Melville, Barnard (Weston 59), Pembridge, Carl Robinson (Evans 70), Johnson, Davies, Hartson (Taylor 59), Earnshaw (Trollope 79).
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Llewelyn, Ward, Vaughan.
Booked: Hartson, Delaney.
Goals: Davies 11.