Croatia defeat Spain at Euro 2016

Paris: Ivan Perisic’s last gasp victor gave Croatia a 2-1 win over Spain that condemned the defending European champions to a heavyweight last 16 clash against Italy on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Germany defeated Northern Ireland 1-nil to go through to the knockout stages as Group C winners.

Croatia leapfrogged the Spanish into top spot and will now take on one of the four best third-placed sides in Lens.

Following its defeat in the western French city of Bordeaux, Spain dropped to second place in Group D and will next meet the in-form Italians on Monday at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

“It’s not the best road, that’s how it seems, but often you don’t know where the danger is”.

“We will try to recover from this disappointment and prepare for Monday”.

Ramos, however, could have put the title holders back in the lead after the break but wasted Spain’s golden opportunity in the 72nd minute by missing a penalty.

Both teams had entered the match at the Stade the Bordeaux guaranteed a spot in the knockout stage.

Croatia’s surprise victory came despite playing without star midfielder Luka Modric and forward Mario Mandzukic, both out with muscle injuries. “A lapse in the 89th [sic] minute with the score in our favour is not something we should allow to happen”.

Champion Spain lost for the first time in 15 matches at the European Championship Finals Tuesday when Croatia beat it 2-1 to win Group D at Euro 2016. Plazibat attributes this mainly to the inexperience of the Croatian coach Ante Cacic, whose appointment last September was negatively received by most Croatian fans.

Meanwhile, Spain face a murderers’ row of Italy and then potentially Germany and France to reach the final.

The 2-0 defeat to Turkey on Tuesday, which confirmed its early exit from Euro 2016, was particularly disappointing.

The other match of the night saw Croatia beat Spain 2-1, securing first place in Group D.

That set up a last-16 clash with Portugal after they were forced to settle for third place in Group F due to Iceland’s dramatic late victor in their clash with Austria.

Goalkeeper David De Gea, starting instead of veteran Iker Casillas, was criticized for not being in a better position to make the stop. “The three matches showed us that football is played in a different way than we play at home. That was really lacking today” said defender Mats Hummels.

Coach Loew also bemoaned the missed opportunities. “Perhaps we needed a game like this one”.

“We had far too much respect”, USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. But the first goal was always going to be pivotal.

“The team spirit helped us and we were fighting until the last minute”, Perisic said through a translator. “If we advance, we will go as far as possible”.