Substitute Eduardo's game-changing contribution gave Croatia's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying hopes a huge shot in the arm as they came from behind to beat ten-man Israel 3-1.

A point behind Group F leaders Greece going into the game, Croatia were trailing to Tomer Hemed's 44th-minute effort when Eduardo was introduced at half-time.

Luka Modric leveled Croatia two minutes after the break, while Eduardo gave his side a man advantage when Tal Ben Haim saw red for fouling him in the 53rd minute, and then added a two-goal cushion with goals in the 55th and 57th minutes.

In a lively opening, Vedran Corluka tested Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate with a 20-yard strike, before Stipe Pletikosa parried Eran Zahavi's shot from inside the box. Yossi Benayoun's long-range effort in the 23rd minute was held by Pletikosa while Niko Kranjcar was twice wayward for Croatia as chances continued to come at both ends.

It took until a minute before the break for the deadlock to be broken, though, and it was Israel who did it. New Arsenal signing Benayoun on the left found Hemed, who slipped the ball past Pletikosa from 12 yards.

Israel suffered a blow during the break, with goalkeeper Aouate having to be withdrawn to be replaced by Guy Haimov - and it went downhill from there. First, Modric was able to beat the new man from 25 yards and then Israel lost Ben Haim, for a foul on Eduardo.

And before 60 minutes was up, Israel were 3-1 down thanks to the Brazil-born striker, first latching onto Modric's pass to finish from 12 yards, then heading Darijo Srna's cross past Haimov.

The goal put the match beyond doubt, although Nikica Jelavic came close to adding a fourth for Croatia eight minutes from time when his strike drew a fine save from Haimov.