Current:Home > StocksCroatia beats Armenia 1-0 to climb atop Euro qualifying group in match delayed by drone-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Croatia beats Armenia 1-0 to climb atop Euro qualifying group in match delayed by drone
View Date:2024-12-23 20:59:02
Croatia climbed atop its European Championship qualifying group by beating Armenia 1-0 away on Monday thanks to Andrej Kramarić's goal in a first half that saw the game briefly delayed because of a drone carrying a political message.
The striker tapped in at the far post after a 13th-minute corner from Luka Modric deflected off an Armenia player and went straight to Kramaric, who stuck out a foot and diverted the ball in. The goal was checked for offside as it appeared Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol got a touch, too.
After starting Group D with a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Wales, Croatia has won three straight matches and gone above Turkey on goal difference, having played one game fewer.
The match in Yerevan was delayed for about 70 seconds from the 35th minute when a drone carrying the flag of Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway Armenian-populated region of Azerbaijan, flew over the field — to cheers and applause from many home fans, according to footage on social media.
The incident comes amid soaring tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with lawmakers in the region — which the Armenians call Artsakh — voting to elect a new separatist president on Saturday in a move that was strongly condemned by the Azerbaijani authorities.
It is set to lead to a UEFA disciplinary case on the grounds of it being a political statement at a game.
In 2014, a drone with a political banner was flown into the stadium where Albania and Serbia were playing a European Championship qualifier in Belgrade, prompting clashes among players. Serbian fans also attacked Albania team members and threw flares onto the field.
The game was abandoned and Serbia initially awarded a default 3-0 victory by UEFA. The sanction was reversed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Later Monday, Portugal goes for a sixth straight win in Group J when Roberto Martinez’s team hosts Luxembourg.
___
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
veryGood! (54)
Related
- A crowd of strangers brought 613 cakes and then set out to eat them
- Colorado snowstorm closes highways and schools for a second day
- LSU's investment in Kim Mulkey has her atop women's college basketball coaches pay list
- Man shot with his own gun, critically wounded in fight aboard New York City subway, police say
- Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election
- Petco CEO Ron Coughlin steps down, ex-BestBuy exec named as replacement
- Hard-throwing teens draw scouts, scholarships. More and more, they may also need Tommy John surgery
- Exclusive: Social Security chief vows to fix cruel-hearted overpayment clawbacks
- Timothée Chalamet Details How He Transformed Into Bob Dylan for Movie
- Duchess Meghan makes Instagram return amid Princess Kate photo editing incident
Ranking
- Mark Zuckerberg Records NSFW Song Get Low for Priscilla Chan on Anniversary
- Petco CEO Ron Coughlin steps down, ex-BestBuy exec named as replacement
- John Oliver Has a Surprising Response to Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theories
- Nevada Patagonia location first store in company's history to vote for union representation
- Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40
- Brooklyn district attorney won’t file charges in New York City subway shooting
- British Airways Concorde aircraft sails the Hudson: See photos, video of move
- Man wins $1 million on Mega Millions and proposes to longtime girlfriend
Recommendation
-
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
-
Why John Legend Called Fellow The Voice Coaches Useless After This Battle Rounds Performance
-
Savannah Chrisley Shares Why Parents Todd and Julie Chrisley Still Haven't Spoken Since Entering Prison
-
Biden backs Schumer after senator calls for new elections in Israel
-
Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
-
Climate protestors disrupt 'An Enemy of the People' while Michael Imperioli stayed in character
-
Kylie Kelce Mourns Death of Her and Jason Kelce’s Beloved Dog Winnie
-
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Tuesday presidential and state primaries