 Prso showed a striker's instinct with his goal |
A late penalty from Marko Babic saved Croatia's blushes as they salvaged a draw against Iran. Iran took the lead through Ali Karimi after 21 minutes before they were pegged back to level terms after a goal from Dado Prso.
But Arash Borhani restored Iran's lead and manager Branko Ivankovic's side looked set for a surprise victory.
But Ivica Olic was brought down deep into injury-time and Babic made mo mistake with his spot-kick.
Croatia: Pletikosa, Srna (Jerko Leko 64), Robert Kovac, Tudor (Modric 46), Simic, Babic, Tomas (Tokic 46), Kranjcar, Prso (Olic 58), Nico Kovac (Vranjes 41), Klasnic.
Goals: Prso 32, Babic 90 pen.
Iran: Mirzapour, Golmohammadi, Rezaei (Shojaei 85), Nekounam, Zandi (Bakhtiarizadeh 46), Karimi (Borhani 46), Hashemian, Daei (Kazemeian 77), Kaabi, Teymourian, Nosrati.
Goals: Karimi 21, Borhani 82.
Att: 18,000
Ref: Zeljko Siric (Croatia).