Wales paid the price for some poor defending in Croatia as they suffered the first defeat of their Group E Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Croatia took an early lead when Jamie Lawrence turned Ivan Perisic's driven cross into his own net.
The World Cup finalists made it 2-0 after the break when Wales failed to clear and Perisic smashed home.
Substitute David Brooks pulled a goal back with 13 minutes to go but Wales could not force an equaliser.