Northern Ireland lost a home game for the first time in 11 games, as Croatia proved too strong for Michael O’Neill’s mix-and-match side.
The pick of the visitors’ goals at Windsor Park was Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric’s superb long-range piledriver, after goals from Mario Mandzukic and Duje Cop had already put the Croats 2-0 up.
The goal of the game came on 67 minutes, with former Leicester City man Kramaric picking up the ball well outside the Northern Irish box, before hammering home an unstoppable effort.
The defeat also ended Northern Ireland’s run of six friendly games unbeaten but O’Neill will be hoping for a return to form in the new year.