<p>Croatia, the runner-up at the 2018 World Cup, lost the opening match of its qualifying campaign for the 2022 tournament as Slovenia secured a surprise 1-0 win in Ljubljana on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Sandi Lovric scored the only goal in the 15th minute inside Stozice Stadium, where there were no fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>
<p>Russia opened Group H with a 3-1 win at Malta thanks to goals by Artem Dzyuba, Mario Fernandes and Aleksandr Sobolev.</p>
<p>Cyprus and Slovakia drew 0-0 in the other game in the group.</p>
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