Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov dashes joyfully after drawing Croatia 2-2. Photo by BNT
Bulgaria's Martin Petrov and striker Dimitar Berbatov scored for a draw against Croatia, after the Bulgarian team suffered 0-2 in the first half of the World Cup qualifier.
Both Croatian goals - the second by a penalty kick - were scored by 22-year-old right winger Darijo Srna.
Bulgarian observers were quick to partly blame the hurtle on Pierre Luigi Collina. The top referee awarded an apparently controversial penalty to the Croatians, and annulled a Bulgarian hit for side-off.
Bulgaria's next rival in the qualifications will be Group 8 outsider Malta, in a game taking place in Sofia next Thursday.