Ireland Men’s Under-21s fought back twice to earn a draw against Croatia in Vrbovec, Zagreb on Saturday evening.

An excellent strike by Sam Curtis and a volley from Sean Grehan saw the game end 2-2 in a match Ireland could well have won.

The young Irish side new it would be a tough test against a Croatia side who haven’t tasted defeat in more than a year.

And it was Croatia who took an early lead from the spot. Rory Finneran appeared to win the ball clearly but referee Filip Dragaševic awarded the penalty which Luka Vrbančic converted.

Ireland were back level in the 19th minute in superb fashion. Curtis won the ball, exchanged a one-two with Michael Noonan before firing low past Pavlešic in the Croatian goal.

And it was Curtis involved on the half-hour mark when his cross was almost converted by the outstretched leg of Noonan. The Shamrock Rovers marksman saw his attempt just go wide.

In the second half Ireland started bright, Jamie Mullins was put through on goal but his attempt couldn’t trouble the Croatian goalkeeper as the young side looked to turn the game around.

In the 58^th minute Croatia had their best chance since the goal. Stjepan Davidović found space on the edge of the box before flashing a sharp effort past the far post.

At the hour-mark Ireland made a trio of changes with John O’Sullivan, Gbemi Arubi and Kian McMahon-Brown replacing Vaughan, Noonan and Finneran. And Arubi almost had the perfect impact when he rose highest in the box but saw his header well held by Pavlešic.

But Croatia would restore their lead with 15 minutes remaining, A mix-up at the back between Sean Grehan and Noah Jauny saw the defender head into his own net.

It took five minutes for Ireland to get back into it, Grehan getting on the end of a corner to bring the game back to parity.

As the game came to a close it was Ireland pushing to win the game but they couldn’t find the break through for the 3^rd goal.

Next up is Qatar Under-23s at the same venue on Tuesday afternoon.

Croatia: Pavlešic, Krušelj, Lesjak, Guiterrez, Vujevic, Vrbančić, Jagušič, Kardum, Zvonarek, Čaić, Davidović: Substitutes: Vukman, Canjuga, Korač, Sušak, Butič, Mažar.

Ireland: Jauny, Curtis (Lipsiuc, 73’), Gallagher, Grehan, C. O’Sullivan, McManus (Keogh, 73’), Finneran (J.O’Sullivan, 60’), Devaney, Vaughan (McMahon-Brown, 60’), Mullins, Noonan (Arubi, 60’).