When Christian Vieri put the Italians ahead after 55 it all looked over for the Croats, bu an inspirational substitution changed the game, Ivica Olic grabbed the equaliser after 73 minutes and Milan Rapaic netting a defelcted winner three minutes later.
The Italians battled back and were denied a 'goal' by referee Graham Poll in the dying seconds when he disallowed the injury time equaliser for a foul by Filippo Inzaghi.
Elsewhere Boro target Benni McCarthy put in a useful display for South Africa against Slovenia but failed to get on the scoresheet as his team ran out narrow 1-0 winners.
And ex-Boro favourite Juninho also had a good game as Brazil just about booked their ticket to the second round. Brazil won 4-0 against new boys China and only a miracle will stop them progressing.