A late Ivan Perisic goal saw Croatia beat Spain 2-1 in Bordeaux in the final round of Group Stage games at Euro 2016, leaving the reigning champions to face Italy in the Last 16.
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Croatia’s midfielder Ivan Perisic (left) vies for the header with Spain’s defender Juanfran during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Croatia and Spain at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux.
‘It’s an important victory because it is against the reigning champions and it paves the way more than if we finished in second place.
Spain had dispatched Turkey and the Czech Republic by a combined score of 4-0 but were stunned by Croatia in the final minutes of their game.
Spain regained their equilibrium after some initial sloppiness in their own end at the start of the second half prompted coach Vicente del Bosque to make some tactical adjustments. “It was time to get back on our feet and we had a good reaction after being heavily criticised”.
Ramos had the opportunity to put Spain back ahead in the second half via the penalty spot, but Danijel Subasic produced a save to deny the skipper and keep Croatia in the game.
Kalinic stung the palms of David de Gea before forcing an error from the Manchester United ‘keeper as he dallied.
Both teams in Lens on Tuesday needed a win to advance.
“We achieved first place and I can be really satisfied that in all three matches we were really aggressive, we played to win”, said Cacic after the Group D drama. “Now we have to prepare well”.
The result ended Spain’s 14-game unbeaten streak at the European Championship over two tournaments. It also ended the team’s run of seven straight games without conceding a goal.
Kalinic’s goal just before the break was the first goal conceded by Spain in 948 minutes of European Championship matches since October 2014.
Spain could also have to face world champions Germany in the quarter-finals and hosts France in the semi-finals if they are to reach the final in Paris on July 10.
“This Euro is just proving everyone can beat you”. We still depend on ourselves.
“We have lots of confidence in the physical condition of our players”.
Turkey will now have to wait and see if Italy and Belgium do not lose their matches tomorrow. The three points ensured that Turkey could still reach the last 16, at least until the final round of group matches on Wednesday.
Their spirits lifted by the goal, the Turks battled for every ball in a superb defensive effort, never letting the Czechs settle as they weathered the storm to hold on for a precious victory.
“That’s normal playing a game in this temperature against this team, but I think we were in good condition to play this game”, he said.
“We don’t have a scientific way of saying these [players] can play, or these can’t play”.
Croatia hadn’t beaten Spain since a 2-0 result in friendly in Valencia in 1994.
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With three minutes remaining Croatia grabbed the victor, racing upfield on the break through Perisic, who drove into the box and netted from an angle as his shot deflected off Gerard Pique and past De Gea at his near post on a night to forget for the United stopper.
