Spain beat Croatia and win group
Jesus Navas, Spain
Spain
beat Croatia 1-0 to top Group C, but it was not all plain sailing for the world
champions who had to wait until the 87th minute for their winning
goal by Jesus Navas.
It was not vintage Spain by any means and this tightly contested group could have easily come down to the wire.
In the end Spain’s win over Croatia put them top of the group with seven points, followed by Italy on five (who beat Ireland 2-0), and the two group favourites are through to the next round.
Spain and Italy will now face any of France, England or Ukraine in the next round.
Navas netted a dramatic late winner following a nervy and unconvincing Spanish performance.
The Sevilla star slammed home a goal from close range after Andres Iniesta controlled a high ball and squared to Navas, which broke Croatian hearts.
So tight was the group that Spain were within a goal of leaving the tournament early.
Croatia were content to sit back and soak up the pressure from Spain whose possession figures reached 78 percent during the first 20 minutes.
Sergio Ramos’ challenge on Mario Mandzukic was deemed legitimate by referee Wolfgang Stark, despite the protests of Vedran Corluka, who was booked.
Croatia were strong defensively, but with news of Italy’s lead over Ireland filtering through at the interval, they knew that they would have to find a goal.
What a great chance they had when Luka Modric sent in a cross with the outside of his boot onto the head of Ivan Rakitic, but Iker Casillas saved well from close range.
It was not vintage Spain by any means and this tightly contested group could have easily come down to the wire.
In the end Spain’s win over Croatia put them top of the group with seven points, followed by Italy on five (who beat Ireland 2-0), and the two group favourites are through to the next round.
Spain and Italy will now face any of France, England or Ukraine in the next round.
Navas netted a dramatic late winner following a nervy and unconvincing Spanish performance.
The Sevilla star slammed home a goal from close range after Andres Iniesta controlled a high ball and squared to Navas, which broke Croatian hearts.
So tight was the group that Spain were within a goal of leaving the tournament early.
Croatia were content to sit back and soak up the pressure from Spain whose possession figures reached 78 percent during the first 20 minutes.
Sergio Ramos’ challenge on Mario Mandzukic was deemed legitimate by referee Wolfgang Stark, despite the protests of Vedran Corluka, who was booked.
Croatia were strong defensively, but with news of Italy’s lead over Ireland filtering through at the interval, they knew that they would have to find a goal.
What a great chance they had when Luka Modric sent in a cross with the outside of his boot onto the head of Ivan Rakitic, but Iker Casillas saved well from close range.
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