Croatia took a giant step towards reaching the quarter finals with a stunning victory against Euro 2008 favourites Germany.

Croatia stormed to the top of Group B with a 2-1 victory against odds-on Germany on Thursday evening. Goals from Dario Srna and Ivica Olicput Slaven Billic’s side into a commanding lead before Lukas Podolski set up a tense finish with 12 minutes remaining.

1 - 0 Dario Srna (24 minutes)

Srna beat Marcell Jansen to a cross from Daniel Pranjic and the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder fired home from inside the area.

2 - 0 Ivica Olic (62 minutes)

Hamburger striker Olic was gifted a goal when an Ivan Rakitic cross came off Podolski, rebounded off the post into the path of Olic to slot home from close range.

2 - 1 Lukas Podolski (78 minutes)

Podolski blasted in his third of the tournament with a sweet shot from inside the box to give Joachim Low’s team late hope.

Bastian Schweinsteiger became the first player to be sent off in Euro 2008 when he received a straight red for a retaliatory shove on Jerko Leko.