Last-minute specialists

Extra time had finished in heart-stopping fashion after an absorbing encounter with two goals in the last three minutes. Ivan Klasnic headed Croatia in front at the near post after a good run and cross by Luka Modric in the 119th minute.

But there was still time for comeback kings Turkey, who twice rallied from behind to win in the group stages, to equalise in nerve-tingling style as Semih Senturk8217;s left-foot shot took a deflection past keeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia then made a mess of the penalty shootout, with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic missing the target before Turkey8217;s 3-1 shootout victory was clinched when Rustu Recber saved from Mladen Petric. Turkey trio Arda Turan, Semih Senturk and Hamit Altintop were all successful with their kicks.

8220;We fought and fought and the players keep outdoing themselves,8221; said Turkey manager Fatih Terim. 8220;Our people can celebrate now. This victory is very important for us.8221;

Defeat was rough on Croatia, who overall had the better of the chances with Turkey weakened by a string of injuries plus suspensions to keeper Volkan Demirel and defender Mehmet Aurelio.

Slaven Bilic8217;s Croatia got into their stride early and repeatedly managed to penetrate the Turkish defence. One such occasion led to the best opportunity of the half in the 19th minute when Modric8217;s low cross found striker Ivica Olic close in but his sliding effort rattled the bar under pressure from 8216;keeper Rustu.

Niko Kranjcar then headed the rebound over to the anguish of the Croatian contingent of fans inside the noisy Ernst Happel stadium, where several flares were lit during the game.

Croatia8217;s anguish

Mehmet Topal sent a 30-metre piledriver just wide towards the end of the first period in a rare effort for the Turks. Croatia went close at the start of the second half when Gokhan Zan8217;s weak back header let in Olic, who nodded over Rustu but failed to add the finishing touch with two defenders on the line.

Olic had two more chances and Darijo Srna forced Rustu into two saves from free kicks late in the 90 minutes but Turkey hung on to take the game into extra time.

The only sour notes for Terim8217;s side were the bookings for Arda, Tuncay Sanli and Emre Asik which mean they will be banned for the semi-final together with first-choice keeper Volkan, who was suspended for two matches after being sent off in the group stage.

8220;I want to congratulate both teams for a great game of football,8221; said Bilic. 8220;My players put in a heroic performance and I can have no complaints about any of them. Penalties are a lottery and the players felt confident enough to take the spot kicks.8221;

Minutes of the meeting

19th min 8212; Croatia have started stronger, and Modric8217;s low cross is somehow crashed onto the bar by striker Olic. Kranjcar8217;s follow-up header goes wide

37th min 8212; Turkey8217;s penalty appeal turned down after Sanli8217;s collision with Simunic inside the box

50th min 8212; Croatia almost concede, as first Zan8217;s header is intercepted by Olic, and then a centring ball is pushed away near the line

83rd min 8212; Turkey 8216;kepeer Recber seems to have brought about a game-saving save, leaping high and swatting away Srna8217;s looping free-kick with one hand

96th min 8212; Tuncay almost wins it, with a strong shot after a driving run, but the ball is palmed away by Croatian 8216;keeper Pletikosa

119th min 8212; Goal! 1-0 Substitute Klasnic sends team mates wild with a head-in off Modric8217;s cross

120th min 8212; Goal! 1-1 The Croatian fans are stunned into silence as Recber8217;s long clearance falls to Semih into the Croatian box, whose shot deflects off Kovac into the top corner of the net for a spectacular equaliser