… to face Italy in last-16

IVAN Perisic’s late winner gave Croatia a victory over Spain, capping the best performance and best game of Euro 2016 so far.Croatia win the group; Spain come second, and will play Italy in the last sixteen.
The way Spain started, it looked as though they would have too much class for their opponents, crafting a clever and dainty opening goal for Alvaro Morata, who tapped home Cesc Fabregas’ square pass.
But Croatia, playing with conviction, intensity and intelligence, fought their way back into the game, and Nikola Kalinic’s flying, flicked volley earned them an equaliser just before halftime.
Both sides had chances to win it in the second half, the best falling to Sergio Ramos.
Vedran Corluka was punished for fouling David Silva as they contested Andres Iniesta’s cross – it looked dodgy – though not as dodgy as Danijel Subasic’s charge off his line when Ramos paused and facilitated the ensuing block. Quite what his attackers were thinking, allowing him to take the kick, remains a mystery.
The game continued to pulsate thereafter, and after Aritz Aduriz’s shot was blocked by Dario Srna, a swift break allowed Kalinic to hold up possession and Perisic to drill home at the near post as David de Gea opted to save with his feet.
May we merit many more such games.

(Eurosport)