BAKU: A lackluster performance saw Group H leaders Croatia held to a 0-0 stalemate in Azerbaijan in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Thursday.

The result left the Croatians top of the section with 14 points from seven games, two more than Italy who were playing Malta at home later.

Former Croatia midfielder Robert Prosinecki stretched his unbeaten run as Azerbaijan coach to three games after a well- organized home side, who now have five points but are out of conention, held his compatriots at bay.

The Croatians found no way through a packed Azeri defense and missed their best chance in the second minute, when striker Mario Mandzukic scuffed his shot wide from close range.

Winger Ivan Perisic forced a good save from goalkeeper Kamran Agayev and then hit the crossbar with a miscued cross early in the second half as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Lively 20-year old forward Marko Pjaca, making his first start for Croatia, created a sitter for Mateo Kovacic in the 70th minute but the Real Madrid midfielder missed the target from 10 meters.

Croatia’s frustration grew in the closing stages as even the simple passes started going astray and they looked a pale shadow of the side that beat Azerbaijan 6-0 at home in the reverse fixture last October.

The Croatians, who have been deducted one point by UEFA after the shape of swastika was carved onto their pitch before their match against Italy in Split in June, are away to Norway on Sunday in their next qualifier while Azerbaijan visit Malta.