Croatia scored a fourth-minute penalty through Luka Modric and held out against a spirited Austria side to beat the co-hosts 1-0 on the second day of Euro 2008 on Sunday.

Cheered on by more than 20,000 of their exuberant fans, Croatia could not have made a better start. Austrian defender Rene Aufhauser clattered into Ivica Olic in the third minute and, despite protests which drew a booking for Emanuel Pogatetz, Modric converted the penalty a minute later.

Though Croatia had the better of the early play, Austria pressed more and more as the game went on and by the latter part of the second half, Croatia were frantically defending their lead.

Croatia go top of Group B ahead of the second match in the group in Klagenfurt later on Sunday between Germany and Poland.