Croatia stun Spain to blow England’s Nations League group wide open

Croatia 3-2 Spain: The World Cup runners-up pinned Spain in their area in the final moments and Tin Jedvaj scored on the rebound after goalkeeper David de Gea had blocked a shot

Friday 16 November 2018 00:20 GMT
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Croatia celebrate their dramatic victory in Zagreb
Croatia celebrate their dramatic victory in Zagreb (EPA)

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Defender Tin Jedvaj scored his second goal of the game in injury time to earn Croatia a 3-2 win over Spain on Thursday, a result that left both teams and group rivals England still in the running to reach the Nations League finals.

Croatia's win came two months after they were crushed 6-0 by Spain, its worst ever loss, in Seville. Spain are top of League A, Group 4 with six points. England and Croatia have four points before they meet at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The group winners advance to the final four tournament in June.

With Croatia needing a victory to keep its hopes alive, the World Cup runners-up pinned Spain in their area in the final moments and Jedvaj scored on the rebound after goalkeeper David de Gea had blocked a shot.

Earlier, Andrej Kramaric opened the scoring for the home team in the 54th minute, only for Dani Ceballos to equalise two minutes later. Croatia went back ahead in the 69th when Jedvaj headed in a cross from Luka Modric, but Sergio Ramos leveled for Spain with a penalty eight minutes later after Sime Vrsaljko handled.

The team that finishes bottom of the group will be relegated to League B.

AP

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