Croatia's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 have suffered a setback with a goalless draw away to Azerbaijan in Group H.

The visitors could have taken the lead with just two minutes on the clock, but Mario Mandzukic fluffed his lines from close range.

Croatia continued to do most of the pressing during the remainder of the first half, though they found it difficult to carve out any clear-cut chances.

A good opportunity fell for Ivan Perisic on 29 minutes when he pounced from close range. However, goalkeeper Kamran Agayev was alert to the danger and kept his effort out.

Azerbaijan forward Dimitrij Nazarov was denied by Danijel Subasic early in the second half before Perisic rattled the crossbar with a stinging drive moments later.

The chances fell for both sides after that, with Subasic thwarting Ruslan Gurbanov and Mandzukic missing a header at the other end of the pitch.

Croatia started to take control during the final stages as Mandzukic's point-blank effort was saved by Agayev before Mateo Kovacic's shot flew the wrong side of the post.

The away side had chances to win the match late on, but Marko Pjaca fired wide after Mandzukic had squandered yet another opening inside the box.

Written by
Jack Prescott