A stubborn Malta resistance have held Croatia to a goalless first half in the first game of both sides' respective Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Malta will play the second half with 10 men after Steve Borg was sent off just after the half-hour mark.

Borg was given a straight red card after a coming-together with Mario Mandzukic, and the Atletico Madrid striker was also booked for his part in the altercation.

However, the home side were unable to make their numerical advantage count for the final third of the half as Malta held on relatively comfortably, with Croatia failing to create much.