He made Poland’s job easier but the odds were still against them reaching the quarter-finals of a European Championship for the first time. First, they had to win by at least a two-goal margin and hope that group rivals Austria could overcome the Germans by one goal. 

Despite not needing to win, Croatia started the brighter in Klagenfurt and should have taken the lead after 14 minutes. 

Mladen Petric’s pass beat the offside trap but Danijel Pranjic’s chip curled just wide of Artur Boruc’s goal.

The Croats let another chance slip 18 minutes later, with Petric again the provider.

That time, Klasnic was denied by the onrushing Boruc. 

But they deservedly took the lead seven minutes after the interval when Klasnic converted his third chance of the game. 

The ball ran out to Pranjic on the left and he quickly cut back his cross. Klasnic, who  must wear a fibreglass protective shield every time he plays, hit a left-footed shot past Boruc. 

Poland (4-2-3-1): Boruc; Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Dudka, Wawrzyniak; Murawski, Lewandowski (Kokoszka 46); Lobodzinski (Smolarek 45), Guerreiro, Krzynowek; Saganowski (Zahorski 69). Booked: Lewandowski.

Croatia (4-4-2): Runje; Simic, Vejic, Knezevic (Corluka, 26), Pranjic; Leko, Vukojevic, Pokrivac, Rakitic; Klasnic (Kalinic 74), Petric (Kranjcar 75). Booked: Vejic, Vukojevic. Goal: Klasnic 52.

Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).