A brace from Ivica Olic helped Croatia to a comfortable victory over Belarus in Minsk, keeping their chances of reaching the World Cup finals very much alive.
Olic headed Croatia into the lead in the 22nd minute and Eduardo doubled their advantage in the second half.
Dimitry Verkhovtsov pulled one back for Belarus nine minutes from time but Olic ended any home hopes of snatching an equaliser with his second of the night just two minutes later.
Croatia remain second in Group Six, seven points adrift of leaders England, with the runners-up spot now their principle aim.
Belarus are three points further back but with a game in hand.
The visitors started brightly and could have taken the lead in the 10th minute but when Luka Modric was presented with a decent opportunity the Tottenham midfielder opted to pass instead of shoot and his ball to Olic was woeful.
Belarus almost took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute as a mistake by Josip Simunic let in Vitaly Kutuzov but Croatia escaped unscathed.
That seemed to give them the boost they needed and Olic headed Niko Kranjcar's corner home four minutes later.
The Bayern Munich new boy could have doubled their lead five minutes later but smashed his effort off the crossbar.
Croatia came out of the blocks quickly after the break but could not find the back of the net.
They eventually doubled their tally in the 69th minute when Darijo Srna crossed from the right and Eduardo coolly slotted the ball home.
Belarus looked to have set up a nervy finale when Verkhovtsov latched onto Srna's mistake and pulled one back for the hosts.
However, two minutes later Eduardo picked out Ivan Rakitic on the right flank who crossed in for Olic to seal the three points
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