Croatia 2-1 Spain, Czech Republic 0-2 Turkey, Uefa Euro 2016 Perisic seals dramatic win after de Gea mistake
- Ivan Perisic scores late winner that sees Croatia top Group D
- Nikola Kalinić equalisd for Croatia on the stroke of half-time following Alvaro Morata's first-half opener
- Sergio Ramos saw his controversial second-half penalty saved by Danijel Subašić
- Spain will now face Italy in round of 16 after qualifying as group runners up
- Turkey win against Czech Republic to give them slim hope of qualifying
- Those results also confirm Northern Ireland's qualification for knock-out stages as one of the group stages' best third-place finishers
- Group D permutations ahead of final round of group games
- Follow all of Euro 2016 through our dedicated page
That's it! From a goal behind, Croatia have secured a hugely impressive win that takes them top as Group D. They qualify for the knock-out stages as winners, with Spain now set to face Italy in the last 16 after tonight's slip-up.
Turkey have also given themselves a fighting chance; their win over Czech Republic gives them slim hope of qualifying as a best third-place finisher.
Croatia have taken the lead! Srna leaps across to make a terrific block on Aduriz's shot on goal before starting an incisive counter attack. It frees Perisic down the left who continues on a phenomenal run down the flank, cutting in with Juanfran for company before lashing one home at the near post!
De Gea was beaten at his near post there, sticking a foot out in a vain attempt to keep the ball out. Should have done much better there.
Pjaca goes down in the Spanish box. Penalty? Nope. The Croatian showed marvellous foot work to evade one challenge inside the box and it looked like he could have gone down on that point. Instead, he stayed on his feet to try and beat Ramos too, before hitting the deck under pressure from the centre-half.
Srna does brilliantly down the right again, charging past Alba and lifting a fine cross into the six yard area. De Gea is initially out to punch, but it only gets as far as the penalty box 12 yards out. Rather than retreating back to his line, the Manchester United goalkeeper charges out further and makes himself big to terrifically block Jedvaj's shot.
What a finish from Kalinić! Moments after Morata's first touch lets him down after a fine through ball from Fabregas, Croatia swarm forward on the counter. Perisic is fed down the left wing and he easily jinks past Juanfran before lifting a ball over to the nearpost. It veers just over Pjaca and Pique but following it up is Kalinić, who prods it past De Gea with the most elegant of flicks that completely fools the Manchester United goalkeeper.
So unlucky from Rakitic! David de Gea, who had just palmed away a stinging effort from Kalinic, takes too long over his clearance from the back and his poor pass his swept back on goal from Rakitic via a wonderful chip. It looks like it will drop into the top corner, but it comes off the bar before Pique clears.
Majestic stuff from defending champions Spain. A patient move sees the ball moved wide to Silva on the left who cuts infield before playing a sublime reverse ball through for Fabregas which takes three Croatian defenders out of the game. The Chelsea midfielder dinks it over the onrushing goalkeeper and it might have been rolling into the back of the net anyway, but Morata makes sure, tapping home from close range.
Almost time for kick-off in our two games this evening. Here are those line ups once again for Croatia vs Spain
Croatia: Subašić; Srna, Ćorluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko; Perišić, Rog, Badelj, Pjaca; Rakitić; Kalinić
Spain: De Gea; Juanfran, Ramos, Piqué, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Fábregas; Silva, Nolito, Morata
While there is so much riding on tonight's two games, the threat of more violence looms over tonight. Croatian authorities have warned there are fears tonight's referee could even be attacked in efforts to get the nation thrown out of the competition.
"We have information that the same people that caused trouble in St. Etienne will try the same, and even try to attack the referee in 30th minute of the match," said the president of the Croatian Police Union Nikola Kajkic.
Spain's qualification is already secured by Vicente del Bosque has named the same XI that thumped Turkey for tonight. That includes a start of Sergio Ramos, who is a booking away from suspension.
Spain team to face Croatia: De Gea; Juanfran, Ramos, Piqué, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Fábregas; Silva, Nolito, Morata.
There is no Luka Modric for Croatia tonight but Verdan Corluka starts again despite a head injury.
Croatia team to face Spain: Subašić; Srna, Ćorluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko; Perišić, Rog, Badelj, Pjaca; Rakitić; Kalinić.
So, Arda Turan keeps his place in the Turkey team this evening where he is joined by Borussia Dortmund starlet Emre Mor. Fatih Terim's side need a win tonight.
Turkey team to face Czech Republic: Babacan; Ismail, Balta, Topal, Gökhan; Selcuk, Ozan, Arda; Volkan Sen, Emre Mor, Burak Yilmaz.
Tomas Necid is rewarded with a start after coming off the bench and scoring against Croatia. There is no Tomas Rosicky, however, whose tournament is over due to injury.
Czech Republic team to face Croatia: Čech; Kadeřábek, Hubník, Sivok, Pudil; Pavelka, Plašil, Krejčí, Darida, Dočkal; Necid.
It is full time in our two Group D games this evening. Germany qualify as group winners with Mario Gomez's first-half strike enough to sink Northern Ireland. Poland qualify as runners up after their narrow win over Ukraine after Jakub Blaszczykowski's effort. Nothern Ireland sit third with three points, which could still be enough to get them into the next round.
Team news: Croatia
Luka Modric limped off, albeit with a smile still on his face, in that draw with Czech Republic but is unlikely to be risked this evening. Vedran Corluka, who had to wear what appeared to be a rather spiffing water polo hat after suffering a head injury against the Czechs, could also be rested to avoid aggravating that problem.
Team news: Turkey
Fatih Terim has a big call to make on Arda Turan. The Turkey captain was relentlessly booed by his own fans during the defeat to Spain, prompting speculation this week he could even walk out on his team before the final group game. He's still there ahead of kick off. Teenage starlet Emre Mor is in line for his first start.
Team news: Czech Republic
Former Arsenal maestro Tomas Rosicky was sadly ruled out for the rest of the competition after picking up a thigh injury in that draw with Croatia. Milan Skoda and Tomas Necid both came off the bench to score for their side in that match and could be handed starts this evening.
Group C meanwhile is almost wrapped up with world champions Germany poised to seal top spot. As it stands, Poland will join them as group runners up, leaving Northern Ireland to hope their third-pace finish will good enough to get them qualified. Follow the conclusion to that game here.
Following the crazy scenes involving Croatia fans on Friday where 15 flares where thrown onto the pitch as supporters exchanged punches with each other, the nation now has the threat of serious Uefa action hanging over them.
It would appear sections of the Croatia support are ready to test that tonight, however and try get their team thrown out of the competition.
Authorities have confirmed some fans are planning to attack referee Bjorn Kuijper tonight in attempt to get the match called off as tempers between the Croatian FA and supporters reach new levels.
"We have information that the same people that caused trouble in St. Etienne will try the same, and even try to attack the referee in 30th minute of the match," said the president of the Croatian Police Union Nikola Kajkic.
Spain sauntered into the knockout stages of Euro 2016 after their easy 3-0 win over Turkey last Friday. Who will join them in qualifying from Group D? That's where it gets complicated...
It looked certain it would be Croatia after goals from Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic put them 2-0 up against the Czech Republic. A win there would have seen them qualified and still within a chance of topping the group tonight ahead of holders Spain. But having surrendered that lead amid the anarchic scenes that unfolded towards the end of that match, nothing is certain ahead of kick off.
Should Croatia lose, Czech Republic can take second place if they win and goal difference shifts in their favour. Should Croatia pick up a point and secure second spot, a Czech Republic win will likely still see them qualify as one of the best placed third teams.
There's no dud fixture tonight. Both of these are crucial for the teams involved. We will bring live updates from both games throughout the evening in addition to all the team news as it reaches us.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.