Croatia beats Andorra in World Cup qualifier

Ivan Rakitic scored two goals Wednesday to help Croatia beat Andorra 4-0 and give his team a much-needed boost in World Cup qualifying.

Rakitic first scored from a free kick in the 16th minute, and later added the fourth goal from the penalty spot in the 89th.

Luka Modric missed a chance from the penalty spot in the 32nd, but Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Luis Alvarez deflected the ball straight to Ivica Olic, who made it 2-0. Modric then scored a goal of his own in the 78th.

Croatia, which lost to England 4-0 last month and was held to a 0-0 draw by Ukraine last week, was pushing for victory from the start.

The Croatians now have seven points in Group 6, while Andorra remains last with zero.

--- Lineups:

Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa, Josip Simunic, Ivica Krizanac (Dario Knezevic, 80), Vedran Corluka, Danijel Pranjic, Ivan Rakitic, Ognjen Vukojevic (Jerko Leko, 62), Mladen Petric, Luka Modric, Ivan Klasnic, Ivica Olic (Mario Mandzukic, 66).

Andorra: Jesus Luis Alvarez, Josep Manel Ayala, Jordi Escura (Jose Manual Garcia, 82), Victor Rodriguez, Marc Vales, Ildefons Lima, Marc Pujol, Marcio Vpepra, Fernando Silva (Juan Carlos Toscano, 90), Manel Jimenez (Alexandre Somoza, 89), Xavier Andorra.

Sapa-AP