A Niko Kranjcer pair handed Croatia a 2-1 victory over Israel and led it to the top of Group F in Euro 2012 qualifying on Saturday.
Croatia has seven points, two more than Greece, which beat Latvia 1-0 on Friday.
Croatia's victory leaves Israel with a formidable challenge if it has any chance of qualifying for its first major tournament since the 1970 World Cup. On Tuesday, Israel visits Greece; Croatia is not playing.
Midfielder Kranjcar got his first goal from the penalty spot in the 36th minute and finished off a neat attacking move for his second five minutes later. Etay Shechter's consolation goal for Israel came 10 minutes from time.
The home side got off to an energetic start, launching attacks deep into Croatia's half. But Luis Fernandez's players were unable to turn early chances into goals, and paid the price late in the first half.
Shechter forced a save from Croatia goalkeeper Vedran Runje less than 60 seconds after the opening whistle, unleashing a stinging effort after Almog Cohen stole the ball off the Croatian defense just outside the area.
But the visitors remained composed and soon pushed up. A seventh-minute Ivan Rakitic shot from outside the box beat Israel goalkeeper Dudu Aouate but hit the inside of the goal post and bounced out.
Shechter was Israel's most dangerous player, storming into the Croatian half and firing in a shot that was pushed away for a corner in the 14th.
Ten minutes before halftime the Croatians won a contentious penalty. Dekel Keinan pulled down Josep Simunic in the box and Kranjcar stepped in to calmly dispatch the spot kick.
Five minutes later, Kranjcar latched onto a Luka Modric pass and slotted the ball past Aouate.
The second half was a largely uneventful affair, with the Croatians sitting on their lead and restricting Israel to speculative efforts.
Shechter managed to pull one back for the hosts in the 80th, skipping into the box before passing the ball into the net.
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Lineups:
Israel: Dudu Aouate, Tal Ben Haim, Bibras Natcho, Gil Vermouth, Almog, Elyaniv Barda (Lior Rafaelov, 54), Etay Shechter, Dekel Keinan, Yoav Ziv, Elroy Cohen Cohen (Eyal Golasa, 69), Tamir Cohen (Roberto Colautti, 51).
Croatia: Verdran Runje, Vedran Corluka, Josip Simunic, Gordon Schildenfeld, Ivan Strinic, Danijel Pranjic, Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Ivica Olic (Mate Bilic, 72), Eduardo da Silva (Mario Mandzukic, 55).
