Croatia moved to the summit of Group F with a 3-1 win over Israel, while Greece could only scramble a surprise draw against Latvia.
Former Arsenal striker makes the difference for Croatia
Croatia moved to the summit of Group F with a 3-1 win over Israel, while Greece could only scramble a surprise draw against Latvia.
Malta secured their first points of the qualification campaign with a valiant 1-1 draw with Georgia but remain bottom of the group.
Substitute Eduardo's game-changing contribution gave Croatia's Euro 2012 qualifying hopes a huge shot in the arm as they came from behind to beat 10-man Israel.
A point behind Group F leaders Greece going into the game, Croatia were trailing to Tomer Hemed's 44th-minute effort when Eduardo was introduced at half-time.
And, after watching Luka Modric level two minutes after the break, he gave his side a man advantage when Tal Ben Haim saw red for fouling him in the 53rd minute, then a two-goal cushion with goals in the 55th and 57th minutes.
Surrendered
Greece surrendered top spot in the group as they were held to a draw in Latvia.
Croatia ascended top spot earlier in the day and Greece could not catch them as Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins produced a series of fine saves to keep them out.
Aleksandrs Cauna had put the hosts in front in the 19th minute, and it stood until Kyriakos Papadopoulos' levelled six minutes from time.
Georgios Samaras fired over in the 18th minute, and Latvia punished the wayward shooting when Cauna beat Michail Sifakis with a low shot.
Greece piled on the pressure and continued to look for an equaliser throughout the game and they were finally rewarded when with six minutes left when Papadopoulos lashed home from Giannis Maniatis' corner.
Basement
Basement dwellers Malta recorded their first point of their European Championship qualifying campaign after holding Georgia to a draw at the Ta' Qali National Stadium.
Georgia took a 15th-minute lead through midfielder Jaba Kankava but captain Michael Mifsud drew Malta level 10 minutes later and neither side could force a winner in the remainder of the match.
Malta stay bottom of the standings with one point from eight games - nine points behind fourth-placed Georgia, whose outside chances of a top-two finish were over before tonight's match.
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