Croatia thrashed hapless Bulgaria 3-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier played behind closed doors at the Maksimir Stadium on Saturday to remain in the hunt for an automatic Group H qualifying spot.

Fans were not allowed into the ground in Zagreb to witness Ante Cacic’s debut as coach following a racist incident in their 1-1 home draw against Italy in June. Croatia also had a point deducted.

Croatia, who have only once failed to reach the European Championship since independence in 1991, visit Malta in their final qualifier while Norway travel to Italy tomorrow.

The third-placed finishers will still have a chance to make it through to the finals via a two-legged play-off.

“This was just one step. We have to win in Malta to make these points valuable,” said Cacic, who was concerned about the hot weather conditions for their next match.

“It will be 30 degrees in Malta, it will be tough, but we are ready.”

Croatia were back on top form under Cacic, who last month replaced the sacked Niko Kovac, as they bounced back from disappointing performances in their previous two games.

“We scored early, were more motivated and, in the end, we have more quality. With this passion, we can even go to the play-offs in good spirits,” he said.

On Saturday, Croatia substitute Duje Cop was sent off for a reckless challenge in the closing stages.

Modric out injured

Croatia will be without Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric for their Group H qualifier away to Malta tomorrow after he picked up a thigh injury on Saturday against Bulgaria.

“Luka had a scan and it showed a thigh strain, hence he’s been ruled out of the qualifier in Malta because there is not enough time for him to recover,” team doctor Boris Nemec said yesterday.

They did not say how long the 30-year-old Modric, whose 2014-15 season was disrupted by injury, might be sidelined but Spanish media reported he would almost certainly miss Real’s La Liga game at home to Levante on Saturday.