Football: Poland, Italy draw a blank as Croatia beats Sweden in Nations League

Italy's Francesco Caputo and Poland's Sebastian Walukiewicz vie for the ball. PHOTO: AFP

GDANSK, POLAND (REUTERS) - Italy forward Federico Chiesa was guilty of a glaring miss early in the game as his side played out a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Poland in the Nations League on Sunday (Oct 11).

Chiesa sliced his effort wide from six metres at the far post in one of the few real chances at the Energa stadium.

Italy extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches as they stayed top of League A Group One with five points from three games. The Netherlands and Poland have four each and Bosnia two.

The stadium was filled to around 25% of its capacity, the maximum allowed by local authorities.

Earlier, Croatia celebrated their first Nations League top-tier Group 3 win after a late goal by substitute Andrej Kramaric gave them a 2-1 home win over Sweden on Sunday.

The result left the Croatians third in the group on three points from three games, three behind holders Portugal and world champions France who were playing each other in the evening kick-off (1845 GMT).

Sweden have lost all three opening fixtures.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was pleased with his team's start to the match, played in driving rain at Maksimir stadium. "We played really well in the opening 60 minutes but we couldn't keep up with our own pace and we struggled in the last half an hour," Dalic told a news conference. "But I am pleased we found a way to win and we're now looking forward to the home game with France. We are going to reshuffle the starting line-up a bit for that one."

Croatia host France on Wednesday, having lost the reverse fixture 4-2 after they were beaten by the same score by Les Bleus in the 2018 World Cup final.

Midfielder Nikola Vlasic fired the Croatians into a 32nd-minute lead against the Swedes when he swept the ball home from 10 metres from a flowing move involving winger Josip Brekalo and Luka Modric. Striker Marcus Berg equalised midway through the second half thanks to an Emil Forsberg assist, as

Sweden's more adventurous approach after the break paid off. The home side had the last laugh, though, as substitute Kramaric side-footed home the winner in the 84th minute after an unselfish pass by Ivan Perisic. Kramaric said he played despite struggling with a thigh injury.

"I wish I was in better shape but there is not much to cheer about regarding the injury at the moment," he said. "I am a bit concerned although I came through today. We should have scored more than one goal in the first half but then we enjoyed a slice of good fortune after they equalised."

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