Italy and Spain win again to advance in Euro 2016

Referee Mark Clattenburg had little option but to halt the Group D match with four minutes remaining after a series of flares landed in the corner of the pitch.

The Czech Republic salvaged a 2-2 draw with Croatia at the European Championship on Friday, but in another incident of hooligan violence at this tournament, the game was temporarily suspended when flares were thrown onto the field and Croatia fans fought among themselves.

Tomas Necid scored the equaliser from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time after Domagoj Vida was penalized for a handball.

As empty seats cleared around the troublemakers, a banner was held up seemingly directed at the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), with a known minority opposed to the national governing body having reportedly planned and even forecast the demonstration in advance.

Angry coach Ante Cacic blamed the Croatian authorities for being too lenient with offenders and not doing enough to stop hooliganism which has been rife over the past decade.

“95 percent of our supporters are ashamed in front of Europe, the players are very sad that after playing a attractive match this happens”.

Croatia was deducted one point in its Euro 2016 qualifying group after fans painted a swastika symbol on the field before a match against Italy in Split.

A ground staff member at the Stade Geoffrey Guichard appeared to be hit by a flare and was seen running off to seek help.

Punches were also seen being thrown on the terraces amongst Croatian fans in the chaos of the closing stages.

“They were in control at that time and they suddenly lost rhythm and we could capitalise on that”.

“I don’t know if tonight’s result is a miracle but the important thing is that we still have our fate in our own hands and high hopes that we can beat the Turks”.

Croatia were cruising towards the last 16 after their two Ivans – Rakitic and Perisic – netted either side of the break.

Croatia have already been in trouble for their fans’ behaviour during Euro 2016, being charged for a pitch invasion and letting off fireworks in their 1-0 win over Turkey on Sunday at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

But Czech replacement Milan Skoda pulled one back before fellow replacement Necid’s dramatic spot-kick. Turkey has zero points.

Having threatened earlier in the half, Croatia took the lead on 37 minutes after a mistake in the Czech midfield.

Rakitic made it 2-0 after beating the offside trap. Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic then went close with a header that Cech tipped over the bar.

But Skoda proved there was still some life in the Czech engine when he managed to put some power into his header from Tomas Rosicky’s cross on 76 minutes.

Croatia’s game against Czech Republic should have been a tribute to Darijo Srna courage but will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Given the apparent determination of the dissident element among the travelling Croatian fans to cause HNS embarrassment, a repeat of the same risky actions against Spain in Bordeaux on Tuesday is a worryingly real possibility.

Turkey’s second straight defeat hasn’t quite ended its chances of progressing but it will most likely need to win its last game against the Czech Republic to stand a chance.