World Cup qualifiers round-up: Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic scores hat-trick inside 35 minutes against Kosovo
Juventus forward runs riot for Croatia to spoil the party in Kosovo's first ever home fixture
MARIO MANDZUKIC has scored a phenomenal first half hat-trick for Croatia against Kosovo.
Croatia's opponents were celebrating their first home international since joining Uefa in May, but the Juventus striker put the celebrations on hold just six minutes in.
Former Leicester man Andrej Kramaric's through ball split Kosovo's defence open and Mandzukic opened the scoring with an exquisite chip over goalkeeper Samir Ujkani.
In the 24th minute he he made it 2-0 with a diving header before placing another header into the top corner in the 35th minute.
Croatia were one of the most impressive sides at Euro 2016 before being knocked out late in extra time in by Ricardo Quaresma in a dull match against Portugal.
They drew their first qualifier 1-1 at home to Turkey in a bizarre opening round of fixtures where every team ended up with the same result.
Newcomers Kosovo secured an impressive 1-1 draw away to Finland and Ukraine were held 1-1 at home to everyone's second team Iceland.
But thanks to Mandzukic, it seems like the group won't be so evenly matched once tonight's round of games is over.