UEFA are expected to launch an investigation into the crowd trouble that marred Italy’s 1-1 draw with Croatia at the San Siro on Sunday night.

The match was suspended after 75 minutes when Croatia fans threw flares onto the pitch forcing a ten-minute delay as the smoke was cleared.

Antonio Candreva had opened the scoring for the home team but Croatia replied instantly, with Ivan Perisic benefitting from a rare Gianluigi Buffon error.

The equaliser prompted the first set of flares being thrown onto the pitch, which had to be extinguished before the match could resume.

Real Madrid fans winced when Luka Modric was forced off with an injury in the 28th minute, in a match that struggled to settle into any sort of rhythm.

The players were forced off the pitch when a larger set of flares were launched in the second half, seriously affecting the visibility around the San Siro and many feared the match would be abandoned.

After play resumed, neither team could find another breakthrough as the game fizzled out, the result keeps both sides joint top of Group H, one point ahead of Norway in third.

Croatia coach Niko Kovac expects his nation to be punished for their fans’ poor behaviour.

"Of course Croatia will face sanctions, but there is no reason for any point deductions,"

"I apologise to everyone, especially the Italians, for our supporters' behaviour."

Supporters appeared to clash with the Italian authorities throughout the game and it is now up to UEFA to find out how so many fans could enter the ground with flares.