POZNAN, Poland — Mario Mandzukic scored two goals Sunday to help Croatia beat Ireland 3-1 in Group C of the European Championship.
Croatia took the lead in the third minute when Mandzukic looped a header past a diving Shay Given, but Ireland equalized in the 19th when Sean St. Ledger headed in Aiden McGeady's free kick from the left.
Nikica Jelavic put Croatia back in front in the 43rd minute after Ireland failed to clear a corner, scoring his first goal in a competitive match since he made his international debut in 2009.
Mandzukic added the third in the 48th after his header from Ivan Perisic's cross bounced off the post and then into the net off Given's head.