Spain win over Croatia, enters quarterfinals
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Navas
struck into the empty net after nice work from Cesc Fabregas and Andres
Iniesta in the 88th minute, after Croatia were denied a penalty in the
first half and Ivan Rakitic saw a point-blank header parried by Iker
Casillas in the 58th.
Spain topped group C with seven points from Italy (five), who beat Ireland 2-0 in the day’s other game in Poznan. Croatia (four points) and Ireland (zero) were eliminated.
Spain will face either France, England or Ukraine in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Donetsk, Ukraine.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque fielded the same starting team -- including Fernando Torres -- that thrashed Ireland 4-0 on Thursday, while Croatia’s Slaven Bilic brought on Danijel Pranjic and Domagoj Vida for Ivan Perisic and Nikica Jelavic.
Physical Croatia managed to contain Spain deep in midfield early on, allowing the champions no clear-cut chances.
Iniesta’s
12th-minute shot was too weak to upset Stipe Pletikosa and the
goalkeeper was also on his guard against a tight-angle shot from Torres.
Spain’s
frustration somewhat showed a minute later, when Sergio Ramos tried his
luck from some 25 metres out, a rare occurrence in the Spanish game,
which is based on swift and short passing.
The
Real Madrid defender Ramos was even the centre of attention in the 27th
when his lunging challenge on the right edge of the penalty area on
Mario Mandzukic should have given Croatia a penalty.
But
their appeals -- justified as television replays indicated -- were in
vain as German referee Wolfgang Stark only awarded a corner kick.
Croatia then had the biggest chance to score in the 58th, a result that would have sent the title holders packing.
Tottenham’s
Luka Modric stormed down the right wing and sent a floating cross to
Ivan Rakitic, whose thumping header from point-blank range at the far
left side was brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas.
Del Bosque brought on Navas for Torres and Barcelona’s Fabregas also came on, and the substitutions paid off late in the game.
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