Czech Republic 2-2 Croatia: Five things we learned

Petr Czech tries to shield the ball

Croatia threw away a two-goal lead and were forced to settled for a 2-2 draw in their second Euro 2016 group game, after a determined Czech Republic fight back.

Croatia dominated the first half and duly took the lead eight minutes before half-time, thanks to Ivan Perisic's excellent opener.

The Inter Milan winger drove at the Czech defence, fooled Tomas Sivok with a step-over, and drilled past Petr Cech into the bottom corner.

Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic made it 2-0 on the hour mark, coolly dinking over Cech when played through by Brozovic.

However a late fightback and some determined Czech resistance saw substitutes Milan Skoda and Tomas Necid's ferocious penalty earn Pavel Vrba's men a share of the spoils.

Here's 5 things we learned in from the clash in Saint-Etienne:

1. Modric’s latest claim to be Europe’s premier playmaker

For too long Luka Modric has been one of the great undervalued stars of European football.

At Real Madrid he plays amid a galaxy of stars and his unfussy, quiet demeanour - both on and off the field - means his quality can easily be forgotten; despite playing a key role in a pair of Champions League triumphs in the last three years (stamping his class on both of those finals, while others around him wilted).

However, when he pulls on the shirt of the Vatreni, there is no doubt who the main man is. Even alongside Barcelona’s Rakitic, the volatile Juventus striker Mandzukic and long-time captain Darijo Srna, it is the ex-Spurs midfielder who leads.

His volley against Turkey took the acclaim in Croatia’s opening game, and his overall showing - which was outstanding - fell somewhat by the wayside. In Saint-Etienne, he continued in similar vein.

Modric prompted wave after wave of attack with his passing, always precise, always picking the right option. Time and again he took the ball, whether in space or under pressure, protected it, ensuring Croatia kept it. As usual Modric dictated things on his terms, slowing the game down when his teammates needed a breather, quickening it up when the Czech’s were lopsided or leaving space.

Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta and a couple of others may argue otherwise, but Modric may just be Europe’s best central midfielder right now.

Here's hoping the knock he came off with isn't too serious, because when absent, Croatia don't look quite as assured - and they threw it away here.

2. Czech attack a far cry from previous vintage...

Over the last 20 years the Czech Republic have graced European Championship finals with teams of attacking threat, intent and, most importantly, quality.

In 1996, often forgotten amid England’s glorious failure, the Czech’s pushed Germany all the way in the final, even taking a second-half lead before losing out to Oliver Bierhoff’s double.

That was the beginning of the Pavel Nedved/Karel Poborsky era and in 2004 that side had reached its peak, backed up by an outstanding young keeper (Petr Cech), the towering striker Jan Koller, and a number of key performers (Milan Baros, Vladimir Smicer, Marek Heinz) all capable of stepping up and making something happen.

In Portugal, they were the team to beat, such were the quality of their performances, and looked well geared for glory, having rampaged through their group - during which they beat Holland 3-2 in possibly the greatest European Championship game ever. Unfortunately, they ran into Greece, the eventual winners that summer.

Yet while that Nedved/Poborsky side thrilled with its combination play and ability to create something from nothing, this current incarnation is not cut from the same cloth.

Dour and unimaginative, they didn’t have a single shot on goal in the first half and played without any kind of attacking aggression.

Tomas Rosicky must be thankful that his international career is now in its winter, and not at its beginning.

3. ...But at least they have heart

Nevertheless, for all their lack of technical quality, this Czech side have heart.

At 2-0 down, having barely had a kick, Vrba's men came out fighting.

The Czech coach threw caution to the wind with his changes, and his side did likewise.

More direct, more willing to go long and play the game deep in the Croatian half, they decided to scrap, to fight, to battle the Croatian brains with their own brawn.

And simply, a Croatian side that had looked so classy, so assured for 70 minutes, fell apart.

That come full time the Czechs looked most likely to snatch a winner, is testament to their character. More of the same in their final game, and they may just find an unlikely place in the knockout rounds is theirs.

4. Perisic picks up the goalscoring slack

Mario Mandzukic may have helped himself to four goals against San Marino in a pre-tournament friendly, but the centre-forward hasn’t been razor-sharp in front of goal in the opening two games.

Fortunately for him, another Croat based in Serie A, Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic, was just that here.

Koka (hen) - so called because of his father’s chicken farm on the outside of his hometown - did the damage eight minutes before the break to ensure Croatia has something to show for their first-half dominance.

Having been agonisingly close from turning home a Mandzukic cross after a lung-bursting run from inside his own half, Perisic made no mistake as he sold Sivok a dummy before planting left-footed past Petr Cech.

That was his 15th international goal in 50 caps for the Vatreni, a fine record and not completely at odds with his club career (85 goals in 298 matches).

Inter spent £16million to take him to Italy from Wolfsburg last summer but he has already been linked with a move away.

He may not be the most flamboyant nor creative of wide men, but he certainly doesn't lack end product - and that’s arguably more important.

5. There can't be enough credit for Darijo Srna

For the long-time Shakhtar Donetsk skipper, this was his 132nd international cap for the Vatreni.

Unquestionably, it will have been his toughest.

The 34-year-old was given the devastating news that his father had died during the win over Turkey, just hours after coming off the field in Paris. On Monday he left the Croatian camp in France to return home and bury his father, but returned to lead his side out today.

"His last wish was that I play" declared Srna and in Saint-Etienne he could barely contain his emotions, breaking down in tears during the Croatian anthem before kick-off.

During the game, he was superb, playing with his customary composure and measured quality. But that hardly mattered. The simple fact that he was there, giving his all once more for his country, is enough to warrant respect, and will have once more made his father proud.