Luka Modric's volley gives Croatia 1-0 win over Turkey (updated)

A thumping volley from Real Madrid's Luka Modric helped Croatia earn a 1-0 victory over Turkey in its EURO 2016 Group D opener here on Sunday.

The 30-year-old midfielder sent in the dipping volley with his right foot in the 41st minute to put Croatia up against Turkey.

"It was one of his (Luka's) best matches in Croatia's history. He was really playing well. He was really our leader," said Croatia coach Ante Cacic.

"He scored a magical goal and at the end it was the only goal. We need Luka in this form. All the team looks better and more aggressive when he plays like that." he added.

Croatia miss several good opportunities to score. In the 52nd minute, Darjo Srna clipped strongly the ball over the wall but hit the bar. In the 72nd munite, Perisic hits the bar with a header from six yards out.

Turkey's best chance came in the first half, when Ozan Tufan saw his header saved. Afterwards, they didn't pose much threat to their Croatian rivals.

"We never start well in these big tournaments," said Turkey coach Fatih Terim. "I am upset but, as I said, we will learn our lessons. We shouldn't lose the ball so easily and we should run and fight more."

The victory for Croatia came almost 20 years after it beat Turkey with the identical score in its first ever EURO match. Turkey won its next Euro date on penalties in 2008 while Croatia had the upper hand again in a play-off for EURO 2012.

Turkey will face Spain and the Czech Republic in pursuit of qualification from Group D. Endit