European champions Spain were expected to coast past Croatia by many in their last group game at Euro 2016, but Croatia had other ideas as Ante Cacic’s side recorded a famous 2-1 win with a late goal from winger Ivan Perisic.
It was hard to argue with the win, as Croatia had produced an impressive display, despite the fact that they had fallen behind on seven minutes through a close-range effort from striker Alvaro Morata, who recently re-joined Real Madrid after Los Blancos exercised a buy-off clause in his contract.
Croatia equalised on the stroke of half-time through a well-taken flicked effort from former-Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinic. Spain won a penalty in the last 20 minutes, but Sergio Ramos saw his spot-kick superbly saved by ‘keeper Danijel Subasic.
Croatia won it with a swift counter-attack with just three minutes left on the clock, Kalinic strode forward and played in Ivan Perisic, who from a tight angle beaten David de Gea at his near post. David Silva saw an effort in stoppage-time blocked, but Vicente del Bosque’s side could not find a way through.
The win moved Croatia to the top of the group and means that the European champions will have to face a battled hardened Italy in the last 16, which will be by no means will be an easy clash for Del Bosque’s men.
Italy are far from a great set of individuals, but the Azzurri are typically well drilled for an Italian team by future Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. The path to winning the trophy on a third consecutive occasion may now be looking slightly more difficult for La Roja and some would argue it is down to their own complacency.