Croatia and Spain went head-to-head for first spot in Group D at Euro 2016 on Tuesday night in Bordeaux.
Alvaro Morata's third goal of the competition sent Spain ahead in the seventh minute, but Nikola Kalinic levelled the scores in the final minute of the first period.
Sergio Ramos had the chance to score a second for Spain from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time, but the centre-back fired his effort straight at Danijel Subasic.
Instead, it was Croatia that scored the game's all-important third goal as Ivan Perisic netted a 87th-minute winner to ensure that Spain would drop to second.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 coverage continues from Bordeaux as Croatia face Spain in Group D. Spain have already booked their spot in the round of 16 courtesy of two victories, while Northern Ireland's defeat to Germany has seen Croatia also guarantee a spot in the knockout stages. That said, a victory for Croatia tonight would see them top the section ahead of the reigning champions!
Czech Republic and Turkey will also meet in Group D tonight and both can still qualify for the next round. A win for Czech Republic and a three-goal swing in goal difference would see them finish above Croatia if Ante Cacic's team lose to Spain tonight. Czech Republic could also still make it as one of the best third-place finishers and the same can be said for Turkey if they were to win.
It is all very complicated with the third-place ruling, but I shall keep you up-to-date with what occurs throughout the night. This match will be just the sixth meeting between Croatia and Spain in international football. Spain have won three of the previous five, including a 1-0 victory during the group stages of Euro 2012. Croatia's sole victory over the Spanish was a 2-0 friendly win in 1994.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Bordeaux. We know that Luka Modric is out for the Croatians, but do Spain have any injuries? Let's take a look shall we!
TEAMS!
CRO: Subasic; Srna, Corluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko; Perisic, Rog, Rakitic, Badelj; Pjaca, Kalinic
ESP: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito
Croatia are missing two key players though injury tonight, with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic both missing out against the European champions. As a result, there are starts for 20-year-old midfielder Marko Rog and 21-year-old forward Marko Pjaca. In total, Croatia boss Ante Cacic has made five changes from the 2-2 draw with Czech Republic as Tim Jedvaj, Sime Vrsaljko and Nikola Kalinic also come into the XI. Cacic has well and truly shuffled his pack in Bordeaux.
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Spain boss Del Bosque, however, has resisted the temptation to make changes. It is the same XI that has started both of their Group D games at this summer's competition. As a result, Alvaro Morata, who has just re-signed for Real Madrid, leads the attack with support from in-form Nolito and David Silva. Cesc Fabregas also keeps his spot in the XI despite calls for Koke to be included.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Bordeaux. I shall speak about Spain and their performances in France a little bit later, but let's start with Croatia, who have been the subject of disciplinary proceedings from UEFA in recent days after crowd trouble during their 2-2 draw with Czech Republic on Friday night.
Croatia were cruising into the round of 16 (they have now made it after Northern Ireland's defeat) when they took a 2-0 lead against the Czechs in Saint-Etienne, but Milan Skoda halved the deficit in the 76th minute, before Tomas Necid scored a 93rd-minute penalty. The game had been stopped at 2-1, however, after flares and fireworks were thrown onto the pitch by a small number of Croatian supporters. It was the latest incident in what has been a European Championships marred by violent incidents.
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On Monday, UEFA fined Croatia £77,000 for crowd trouble and the Croatian Football Federation have also been banned from selling tickets to fans identified as "hooligans". That was after all the tickets had been sold for this match, however, and therefore the second sanction is deferred until after this tournament. It is thought that the fans were protesting against their own federation, which some believe is corrupt. There have also been suggestions of more trouble tonight, which is a concern.
In all honesty, Croatia should have entered this match level on points with Spain, but they will now need to beat La Roja tonight to secure first position. Cacic's team opened their Group D campaign with a 1-0 win over Turkey and they sit on four points in the group following the 2-2 draw with Czech Republic. Those two results have left them second, two points behind leaders Spain.
Head of Croatian police has warned Uefa of planned ultra attack on referee Bjorn Kuipers in 30th minute of Croatia v Spain — Barry Glendenning (@bglendenning) 21 June 2016
Spain, meanwhile, have breezed into the next round. La Roja opened their Euro 2016 challenge with a 1-0 win over Czech Republic on June 13, before beating Turkey 3-0 on Friday in what was arguably the best performance of the tournament to date. Alongside France and Germany, they are seen as the favourites as we prepare to enter the first knockout round of this competition.
Spain landed their first European Championship crown in 1964, but did not qualify for the finals in 1968, 1972 or 1976. They then finished as runners-up in 1984, but dropped out of the group stages in 1988 and 2004. Between 1968 and 2004, Spain's European Championship record was pretty average, but they won both the 2008 and 2012 editions and are seeking a third straight down in France.
Incredibly, Spain have not actually lost a game at the finals of a European Championship since June 2004, when they were beaten by Portugal in the group stages. This has been their competition in recent years and it will take a strong team to stop them claiming a third straight crown.
For those that missed the news earlier - Spain striker Alvaro Morata has re-joined Real Madrid from Juventus after Los Blancos activated their buy-back option. More on that story can be found here.
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If Spain win the group, they will face the third-place team from either Group B, Group E or Group F in the round of 16 on Saturday night in Lens. However, if they finish second, Vicente del Bosque's side will take on the winner of Group E, likely to be Italy, on June 27 at the Stade de France!
Confirmation of the two teams for tonight's match...
CRO: Subasic; Srna, Corluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko; Perisic, Rog, Rakitic, Badelj; Pjaca, Kalinic
ESP: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito
Right then, time for the national anthems!
Right then, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Both of these teams are in the knockout round of the competition, but Spain need a point to be sure of first position in Group D. It should be an exciting night of football from the Stade de Bordeaux!
KICKOFF! It is Spain that get the first period underway tonight...
... Spain play in white tonight, while Croatia take to the field in their changed strip of blue. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium - let's hope there is no trouble.
Rog takes a while to return to his feet after clashing with Silva, but there was nothing much in the challenge and play continues. Decent start from Croatia as they enjoy good possession of the ball.
Risky from Pique as the Spain centre-back allows a high ball to bounce and De Gea only just gets there ahead of Pjaca, who has started in a wide position tonight. Little sloppy from Spain there.
Juanfran breaks down the right for Spain and is given space to deliver a cross, but Subasic is on hand to claim and settle things down for Croatia. No real chances inside six minutes, but the early indications are strong as both teams continue to commit players when they break into the final third.
Srna cannot resist meeting a bouncing ball inside the Spain box, but he finds Row Z!
GOAL! Croatia 0-1 Spain (Morata)
Spain take the lead in the seventh minute as Silva finds Fabregas with a wonderful pass and the Chelsea midfielder's low effort is helped into the back of the net by Morata for his third goal of Euro 2016!
CHANCE! Almost 2-0 Spain as Silva finds Nolito with a super cross, but the attacker's effort is just wide of the post. Croatia have been blown away in the last couple of minutes.
Croatia actually started this game quite well, but they are struggling to get to grips with Spain at the moment as the team in white continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field.
SAVE! Sloppy play from Ramos hands Croatia a chance to equalise, but De Gea palms a Kalinic strike wide of the post. The resulting corner then finds Perisic, who clears the crossbar!
CROSSBAR! Oh my word! Howler from De Gea as the Spain stopper presents the ball straight to Rakitic. The Barcelona midfielder chips the ball towards the far corner, but it hits the crossbar before Pique clears on his goal-line. What a start to this game in Bordeaux!
This game is barely 16 minutes old and we have had a whole host of super chances, in addition to an opening goal from Morata. Spain's latest attack sees Ramos deliver towards Morata, but it is just too high for the striker and Croatia can resume from the dead-ball line. Super game here.
Croatia have not come here to accept defeat, that is for sure. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as the team in blue continue to commit players forward.
Alba darts from left to right and manages to meet a cross from Nolito, but the Barcelona defender just loses his footing at the vital moment. More sharp passing sees Spain work some space inside the Croatia box, but Corluka is on hand to make the challenge and Croatia can break clear again.
Fabregas finds Nolito with a long-range pass and the Celta attacker looks to play in Morata as Spain threaten once again, but Corluka just about does enough. Moments later, Silva feed a low pass towards Fabregas, but this time, Subasic is on hand to claim. Such a good game at the moment.
SAVE! Silva strikes one from just outside the Croatian box, but Subasic saves.
Spain have a free kick in a dangerous position as Pjaca pushes Silva to the deck...
... Silva strikes, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Rakitic is not best pleased with his Barcelona teammate Alba as the Spain left-back hits and deck under slight pressure from the Croatian midfielder. That will surely be mentioned on the Barcelona training ground next season! Still 1-0 Spain with 28 on the clock, but Croatia are dangerous here.
Nolito has a low strike deflected just behind as Spain work it once again.
BOOKING! Rog (Croatia) is booked for a late challenge on Fabregas.
Just a reminder that as it stands, Spain would top Group D and Croatia would finish in second position. A point is also good enough for Spain to top the section, which makes things very difficult for Croatia, who are without two of their best players - Modric and Mandzukic - in Bordeaux tonight.
Spain might be ahead and in control of the possession, but Croatia are still dangerous here and Juanfran has to be alert to challenge Perisic aerially at the far post. Delicately poised here.
Badelj fires towards goal after Spain fail to clear a free kick, but his effort finds the stands.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Croatia are taking the game to Spain at the moment as they continue to press high and force the team in white to concede possession. Morata, meanwhile, is a lucky boy after seemingly kicking out at Jedvaj following an aerial challenge.
Pass, pass, pass from Spain as they look to take the sting out of Croatia's forward play here.
Perisic gets up above Juanfran to meet a super cross from Srna, but his header was always moving away from the target. The number four for Croatia has been very impressive once again here.
It must be said that the opening 43 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past. Spain will be happy to enter the break with a 1-0 lead, but it has been far from one-way traffic. A Croatia team with Modric and Mandzukic might well fancy their chances of overcoming the reigning champions.
CHANCE! Ramos meets a corner from Nolito and should do better! Instead, the centre-back's header flicks off his head and away from goal. Ramos is much, much better than that.
CHANCE! Another chance for Spain as Fabregas finds Morata with a super pass, but the striker's touch is too strong and the Croatian goalkeeper can claim. Should have done better!
GOAL! Croatia 1-1 Spain (Kalinic)
We are level! Croatia equalise in the 45th minute as Perisic delivers a wonderful cross into the Spain box and Kalinic is on hand to finish with the most delicate of touches - super goal that!
HALF-TIME: Croatia 1-1 Spain
What a half of football that was! The referee brings the first period to a close with Croatia and Spain level at 1-1. It was Spain that made the breakthrough when Morata netted in the seventh minute, but Croatia equalised in the 45th minute through Kalinic. Super game of football in Bordeaux.
STATS! Spain have shaded the possession with 57%, but Croatia have had more attempts - nine to Spain's eight. That said, both teams only managed two shots on target in the first 45 minutes. Just the one yellow card to report and that came for Croatian youngster Rog in the 25th minute of action.
BENCH WATCH! Croatia are without key injured duo Modric and Mandzukic tonight, but the likes of Cop, Kovacic, Kramaric and Coric provide Cacic with good options on the bench. Spain, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Aduriz, Thiago, Lucas Vasquez, Koke, Pedro and Bruno.
RESTART! Croatia resume the action in Bordeaux...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise, but I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind for the second period. More of the same then please!
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be the decider. Spain have a half-chance as Silva finds Juanfran at the far post, but his effort is far too high.
Spain are in control of the possession at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Croatia are so dangerous on the counter-attack and will fancy their chances of creating opportunities as play develops in Bordeaux. As it stands, Spain will still top Group D.
Pass, pass, pass from Spain as they continue to dominate the ball, but Croatia are pretty comfortable at the moment and seem poised to break forward at any given moment here.
Just a reminder that a point would be enough to see Croatia secure second and Spain to finish top of the group. You could be forgiven for both teams accepting this result, but that is not the case at the moment. Spain again break and Alba delivers into Morata, but Jedvaj makes a super block.
Croatia force a free kick in a good position as Ramos brings Pjaca to the deck...
... Rakitic delivers, but it is wonderful defending from Ramos, who rises above Jedvaj.
CHANCES! Croatia come close on two separate occasions, but De Gea keeps out a strike from Jedvaj after departing his goal, before Pjaca sends an over-head kick wide of the post.
SPAIN SUB! Bruno replaces Nolito in Spain's first sub.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and Croatia look the team more likely to make something happen at the moment. That said, it only takes one second for the likes of Iniesta or Silva to produce some magic. This has been the best game of Euro 2016 for me so far!
One goal for Croatia sends them to the top of the group and Spain do not look too comfortable at the moment, that is for sure. Still 1-1 with little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Bordeaux.
SPAIN SUB! Aduriz replaces Morata in Spain's second change.
CHANCE! Free header for Ramos, but he sends his effort wide of the post!
Still no movement on the Croatia bench, which is a surprise at this stage of events. Just a reminder that Cacic's team have been without Modric and Mandzukic tonight, but both are expected to return for the round of 16. Croatia are there, but they need to score again to top Group D.
PENALTY SPAIN!
Spain are awarded a penalty as Silva goes down inside the box under pressure from a couple of defenders, but there was no touch! The referee saw something from Vrsaliko there!
SAVE! Subasic keeps out Ramos's effort! Straight down the middle!
What a wonderful game of football! Croatia have been boosted by that penalty miss and break down the other end with Perisic, but the winger just cannot escape the challenge of Juanfran.
Rakitic sends a free kick into the stands and Spain resume play from the dead-ball line.
Spain have just looked a little bit rattled in the last couple of minutes and Croatia are growing in confidence, which has been the case for much of the second period. The team that finishes second in this group is likely to face Italy in the next round, which is certainly one to be avoided at this stage.
Aduriz has been the target for a couple of deep crosses in the last few moments, but Croatia have defended well tonight and that remains the case with 81 minutes on the clock here.
CROATIA SUB! Kovacic replaces Rog for Croatia.
SPAIN SUB! Thiago replaces Fabregas in Spain's final change.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and it would change the group if Croatia managed to score a second. Still at least five minutes of football to play in Bordeaux.
GOAL! Croatia 2-1 Spain (Perisic)
Oh my word! Croatia score a second in the 87th minute of this match as Kalinic feeds Perisic and the midfielder somehow finds the bottom corner with a low strike! It deflected off the boot of Pique and landed past De Gea, who just could not make contact. Croatia top the group as it stands!
BOOKING! Perisic (Croatia) is booked for taking his shirt off.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here!
CROATIA SUB! Cop replaces Kalinic for Croatia.
CROATIA SUB! Kramaric replaces Pjaca.
CORRECTION! Kramaric remains off the pitch. Sub did not happen!
CROATIA SUB! Kramaric does come on, for Perisic.
FULL-TIME: Croatia 2-1 Spain
So there we have it. What an incredible performance from Croatia! They have beaten the holders Spain 2-1 in Bordeaux to top Group D. It is Spain's first European Championship defeat since Euro 2004 and they will seemingly now face Italy in the next round. That is just about it from me tonight. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. See you again soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
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