Croatia vs Spain match report: Ivan Perisic's late strike consigns Spanish to second place

Croatia 2 Spain 1

Perisic wheels away after scoring the late winner (Getty)

If it was not for the fact that this result pitches Spain into England’s half of the draw, along with Germany, France and Italy, Roy Hodgson would be forgiven a smile of wry satisfaction. Unlike the England manager on Monday Spain’s Vicente del Bosque did not make any changes to his first XI, and they were beaten in the European Championships for the first time in 12 years and a day.

Croatia, who were fielding a weakened team themselves, albeit not through choice, recovered from conceding after eight minutes to Alvaro Morata’s third goal of the tournament to give themselves a chance of progressing deep into the tournament. Goals from Nikola Kalinic, playing better than ever did at Blackburn Rovers, and Ivan Perisic, earned them a knock-out tie against a third-placed finisher, then a meeting with Switzerland or Poland.

Spain, for whom Sergio Ramos missed a penalty at 1-1, face Italy in Paris on Monday, then, probably, a quarter-final with Germany. This scenario is why Del Bosque fielded the team that had started the previous two matches, a narrow victory against Czech Republic and a drubbing of Turkey.

Morata tapped in from close range to open the scoring (Getty)

Croatia, however, were without two key players, Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic, who were both injured. After eight minutes they were also a goal down, partly due to their own sloppiness. They allowed Spain to stroll through their midfield to within 30 yards of goal and while Tin Jedvaj then cut out Cesc Fabregas’ attempted pass to Morata the ball fell to David Silva. His clever pass picked out a smart run from Fabregas who dinked the ball over Daniel Subasic. Dario Srna may have cleared, but Morata got here first to tap into an empty net.

When Nolito nearly turned in Silva’s cross a few minutes later a rout beckoned, and perhaps Spain thought so too as they became complacent. Ramos gave the ball away allowing Ivan Rakitic to feed Kalinic. De Gea saved his fierce shot but two minutes later was careless himself, being robbed in possession by Kalinic. The ball rolls went to Rakitic whose chip beat Gerard Pique, covering on the line, but hit the bar and post before bouncing out.

Though failing to score these incidents gave Croatia hope and the game became more even. Nevertheless, it was a shock when Croatia levelled just before the break. Perisic dummied Juanfran before delivering a cross that Rakitic, rising ahead of Busquets, may have faintly glanced on. While Ramos watched Kalinic had gambled and he beat De Gea with a neat finish. Ramos glared at De Gea, but it was the skipper’s error.

Croatia's players mob Nikola Kalinic after his cute equaliser (Getty)

This was the first goal Spain had conceded in a competitive match for 15 hours and 46 minutes’ play, and their first at the European Championship finals since the opening game of the 2012 competition.

The next goal conceded nearly came a lot quicker. Eleven minutes into the second period De Gea could only palm out Dario Srna’s whipped cross. Jedvaj volleyed the ball back but De Gea, making his star save, blocked with his foot.

Spain also survived a penalty appeal when Pjaca tumbled in box amid a thicket of Spanish legs, which infuriated Croatia when, a few minutes later, one was given at the other end after Silva went down amid a tangle of legs with Sime Vrsalko. When the protests subsided Ramos stepped up, and watched Subasic, way off his line, save. Jedvaj encroaching almost as far as the penalty spot, cleared the rebound before Silva could reach it. The Dutch referee decided against sparking another row and let both infractions go.

Spain pressed again for the winner, then with three minutes left Srna blocked a shot on the edge of the box. Pjaca drove the ball forward, releasing Kalinic. He drew Pique then fed Perisic whose effort took a faint deflection off Pique’s boot as he lunged to block, faint but enough to beat De Gea at the near post.

Prior to the match there had been rumors that some Croatian fans would attempt to disrupt the match as in their previous game against Czech Republic as part of their ongoing dispute with their own federation. A pitch invasion was feared. To forestall this riot police were stationed around the perimeter where the bulk of the Croatia support was sitting.

Maybe the rumours were wrong, maybe the malcontents did not fancy the odds. Either way peace reigned, then pandemonium as Croatia’s fans celebrated this most unexpected of victories.

Spain (4-3-3): De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito.

Substitutes: Bruno (for Nolito, 58), Adruiz (for Morata, 66), Alcantara (Fabregas, 84)

Croatia (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Srna, Corluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko; Rog, Badelj; Perisic, Rakitic, Pjaca; N Kalinic.

Substitutes: Kovacic (Rog, 81), Cop (Pjaca, 90); Kramaric (Perisic, 90).

Man of the match: Perisic

Referee: B Kuipers (Netherlands)

Match rating: 8