A late equalizer from striker Eder on debut rescued a 2-2 draw for Italy at Bulgaria in European Championship qualifying, although the Azzurri dropped two points behind Croatia in Group H on Saturday.

Italy took the lead with an own goal from Yordan Minev, but Bulgaria struck back with scores by Ivelin Popov and Ilian Micanski in the opening 17 minutes.

In the 84th, Brazilian-born Eder controlled well just beyond the area, spun around his marker, and curled a shot into the far corner.

It was a perfect response to controversy over foreign-born players this week, with Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini saying "The Italian national team should be Italian."

"I respect everyone's opinion but I think all this controversy is useless," said Eder, who has nine goals for Sampdoria this season. "I just hope I can secure some more playing time with this shirt."

Earlier in Zagreb, Croatia convincingly beat Norway 5-1 with goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic, Ivica Olic, Gordon Schildenfeld and Danijel Pranjiic.

Norway's Alexander Tettey cut Croatia's lead to 3-1 in the 81st and Tarik Elyounoussi failed to convert a penalty for Norway in the 69th.

Croatia played the last 20 minutes without red-carded Vedran Corluka.

Also, Azerbaijan beat visiting Malta 2-0 with early and late goals from Cavid Huseynov and substitute Dmitri Nazarov.

Croatia tops the group with 13 points. Italy has 11, Norway nine, Bulgaria five, Azerbaijan three and Malta one.

The top two finishers from each of the nine groups qualify automatically. The best third-place team also qualifies, and eight more teams can qualify through a playoff.

Besides the argument over foreign-born players, Italy's buildup to the match also involved a controversy over an injury to key midfielder Claudio Marchisio.

After Marchisio was injured in training on Friday, Italy's medical staff announced he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury that would have ruled him out for six-to-eight months.

But Marchisio was then tested by Juventus' medical staff, which determined there was no tear.

After being peppered with questions about Marchisio, Italy coach Antonio Conte walked out of a pre-match TV interview.

Italy was also without goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who sat out with a fever, and injured playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

Under a steady rain four minutes in, Minev redirected a cross from Andrea Bertolacci into his own net with Simone Zaza waiting by the far post after a slight deflection from the goalkeeper.

Popov then found the target in the 11th with a bouncing, angled shot from just beyond the area. And Popov's acceleration also led to Micanski's goal in the 17th, which came with a header from the centre of the area between two defenders.

Three minutes later, Ciro Immobile had a chance to equalize for Italy but his header went just wide.

Before the interval, Salvatore Sirigu prevented Bulgaria from taking a two-goal lead with a leaping save on a free kick from Popov.

Eder replaced Zaza in the 58th and Immobile had another chance in the 68th that was blocked by the goalkeeper, and Bertolacci missed the rebound wide.

Two minutes after Eder's goal, Manolo Gabbiadini nearly won it for Italy but missed wide.