Croatia against Spain

<b>Update</b>: Italy 2-0 Ireland

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Jelavic</b> for deliberate handball, as he looks to counter.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Mandzukic</b>

Spain will top the group as this stands. Croatia going out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL Croatia 0-1 Spain Jesus Navas with an opening goal!!!</b> Jesus Navas with an opening goal after Fabregas picks out Iniesta to slide the ball across for Navas.

Corluka rises highest in front of Casillas, but heads just wide. Busquets was pulling him down there.

Croatia have a corner. Strinic fires the ball off Arbeloa.

Croatia are still defending so, so well. Spain just cannot find a way through.

Spain still keeping the ball with ease though. Cesc finds Iniesta, but his left footed shot from a narrow angle is well saved by Pletikosa.

Spain so unambitious in attack tonight. They just cannot buy a goalscoring chance right now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Eduardo for Vukojevic</b>

Spain have so many men over on the counter attack, but they are so laboured and Busquets allows Srna to get a desperate tackle in. What a waste.

Croatia counter quickly and Perisic is free at the back post. He brings the ball down on his chest and fires a volley at goal. Saved by Casillas, corner.

Fabregas looks to inject some urgency, getting a shot away. Blocked by Srna.

Spain camped just inside the Croatia half with the ball. They aren't looking to get towards the box though.

Spain waste the corner once again. Croatia work the ball forward, but Ramos wins back the ball for his side.

Still Croatia defend manfully. Another corner to Spain.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Cesc Fabregas replaces Silva</b>

Corner sent in but there are three waiting to head clear. Modric completes the job.

Strinic has had a good game tonight. Does well to deal with Jesus Navas again. Corner to Spain.

Croatia have had the better chances in this game and could have had a penalty.

Jelavic very close getting on the end of a Perisic cross. Ball comes in again from Rakitic on the right and Perisic blasts over.

Pique falls down under a challenge with Mandzukic. Play-on and Spain have a corner on the other side. Taken short, but eventually cleared by Corluka.

Jesus Navas has added something to the Spain side. He gets to the by-line on the right and crosses low, winning a corner off Schildenfeld.

Xavi swings in the corner, but Ramos heads well over the bar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jelavic and Perisic replace Pranjic and Vida</b>

Spain now with a sustained period of possession in the Croatia half and win a corner kick off Strinic.

Croatia are defending superbly tonight. Spain come forward on the counter, but Rakitic gets in to knick the ball off David Silva.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jesus Navas replaces Torres</b> and Silva is now playing up-front.

The ball just won't run for Torres tonight, robbed by Vida this time.

<b>SAVE!</b> Modric counters superbly and shows his immense technique to pick out Rakitic at the back-post, headed at goal but somehow Casillas saves.

Crossed by Rakitic towards the centre of the area. Headed clear by Alonso.

Mandzukic pinches the ball and does brilliantly to win a free-kick on the left touch-line. Everyone forward for Croatia.

Spain in possession now. Long, slow, laborious build-up play.

Taken short, with the ball whipped crossfield to Srna. Handballed by the Croatian skipper.

Croatia pushing very high up now and pinning Spain back. Throw in from the left.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Strinic</b> for a trip on Silva

More flares in the crowd, at both ends now...

Iniesta breaks and looks to slide in Fernando Torres. Overhit.

Jordi Alba is very quick to fall down. He's down again after being flagged offside. No foul.

Corner to Croatia flighted in towards Corluka at the far post. He is climbing all over Pique though, free-kick.

Croatia have edged themselves into the Spain half. Can they do anything?

Croatia yet to touch the ball this half. All Spain, until Arbeloa fouls Strinic.

Unsurprisingly, Spain start with a long spell of possession among their defensive players.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> underway...

The number of permutations for this second-half are ridiculous. Anything could happen.

Spain have had more shots than any other side at Euro 2012. They haven't been very good today though.

Deadlock in Gdansk. Croatia heading out at the moment, but should have had a penalty from Ramos' foul on Mandzukic.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Croatia 0-0 Spain

Two minutes added time...

Spain's best outlet, David Silva, once more finds space. This time he's on the right and wins a corner. Headed clear.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Srna</b> booked for his third foul on Busquets in just a few minutes.

Spain having plenty of the ball in Croatia's half, but they have done next to nothing with it thus far.

Xavi delivers towards Ramos, but the Spanish defender fouls Vedran Corluka.

Corner to Spain. Iniesta and Silva combining. Silva looks to thread through the Barca man, but intercepted.

Xavi looks to slide in Torres, but the ball hits the striker's heel. Silva follows up, but his shot is poor.

Srna penalised once again for a foul on Busquets. It's gone a bit quiet in the stadium. People maybe unsure of the permutations.

Italy now top the group. As it stands, Croatia are going out.

Spain still probing away...

<b>UPDATE</b> Ireland 0-1 Italy

Spain still in possession. Been a long time since Croatia had the ball now.

A great atmosphere in the stadium tonight...

Silva's been Spain's best player so far. This time looking to feed Torres, but doesn't get his pass quite right.

Spain still nice football, but Croatia are coping with their attacks very well so far.

Silva works an opening with a 1-2 played with Xavi Alonso, but slips as he takes his shot. Saved.

Corner is thrown into the centre and Vukojevic goes down under pressure from his marker. Nothing given again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Corluka</b> for his protests

<b>HAS TO BE A PENALTY!</b> Sergio Ramos slides in on Mandzukic (just) inside the area, takes none of the ball and injures his man. Corner given.

Better chance for Mandzukic just moments later. Srna feeds in a low cross for the striker who spoons his shot well over the bar.

Croatia's first shot on target. Pranjic overlaps down the left as they counter and fires low as Casillas.

Pique, inspired by Ramos' effort takes a strike from even further out. Curled over the bar.

Sergio Ramos gets away Spain's second shot on target. A long way out, saved by Pletikosa with ease.

Fernando Torres is looking confident. Running at Vukojevic, squaring him up, then shooting powerfully at goal. Saved by Pletikosa.

Free kick played in, but referee gives a foul against Spain in the area. Goalkeeper hoofs the ball long.

Dangerous free-kick for Spain from the right now. Silva fouled by Vukojevic.

Pranjic wins the ball and breaks down the left. He has no support though and Busquets teams up with Ramos to take the ball.

Alba is incensed. He is clipped by Srna this time. The Croatian lucky not to see a card there.

Croatia holding their own so far, keeping the ball fairly comfortably also.

Now Rakitic and Alba collide. The Spanish bench are incensed, but there was nothing in the tackle.

Croatia pushing forward on the right with Vida. They can't get a decent ball into the area though.

Iniesta penalised for a foul on Srna in midfield. Pressing hard to win back the ball.

Plenty of space for Arbeloa on the right. Always the free-man for Spain.

Lovely interplay between Iniesta and Silva sees the Barcelona man with a fine opportunity. He attempts to finish with the outside of his foot. Saved easily. Poor effort.

Spain as expected looking to retain possession at every opportunity. Will be the same all evening.

Mandzukic seems to skip past Arbeloa and Pique after Croatia win back possession. He appeared to be fouled by Pique. Nothing given.

Torres running the channels on the left, giving Spain an extra option. Still Spain possession.

There is a flare on the pitch. Croatia fans in trouble once more.

Spain moving the ball quickly around in midfield. Not getting anywhere yet...

Xabi Alonso rushed on the ball in midfield, conceding a throw in. Good hassling from the Croatian midfield.

Jordi Albi gets forward well down the left. Crossed towards Torres, who is just beaten to the ball by Schildenfeld.

Croatia passing the ball around well. They need to take advantage when they are given possession.

Taken by Xavi towards the centre of the area. Headed well clear.

Early opportunity for Spain to cross the ball into the area. Mandzukic fouls Busquets. Free-kick

<b>KICK OFF</b> in Gdansk...

Right. Festivities completed. Let's get on with some football. Wolfgang Stark our referee tonight.

Here they come out onto the pitch. Anthem time in Poland.

The teams are in the tunnel. Let's get ready to get started.

Croatia have won one of four meetings with Spain. Spain have two victories, with one draw.

Would be massive for Croatia if they can qualify. With Italy playing Ireland, they will know they may need points here against Spain.

Will Fernando Torres continue his return to form after the Ireland game? Encouraging signs for Spain and Chelsea fans.

<img src="http://i.espncdn.com/i/img/1106856_310_175.jpg"> Spanish fans remind Italy of that possibility.

Remember of course that a 2-2 scoreline will see both these teams through, regardless of the Italy-Ireland score. It couldn't, could it?

Major change for <b>Croatia</b>, Jelavic drops out and Bayern's Danijel Pranjic comes in. <b>Spain</b> unchanged.

Spain team: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Silva, Iniesta; Torres

Croatia team: Pletikosa; Vida, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Vukojevic, Pranjic; Srna, Modric, Rakitic; Mandzukic.

Ahead of the game, you can read Dominic Raynor's excellent preview - <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=334205&ref=espnfc&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

Just over an hour then until Croatia and Spain face off in just over an hour in Gdansk. Both teams can go through tonight, but if Italy win elsewhere, many possibilities open up.

Spain waste the corner once again. Croatia work the ball forward, but Ramos wins back the ball for his side.

Still Croatia defend manfully. Another corner to Spain.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Cesc Fabregas replaces Silva</b>

Corner sent in but there are three waiting to head clear. Modric completes the job.

Strinic has had a good game tonight. Does well to deal with Jesus Navas again. Corner to Spain.

Croatia have had the better chances in this game and could have had a penalty.

Jelavic very close getting on the end of a Perisic cross. Ball comes in again from Rakitic on the right and Perisic blasts over.

Pique falls down under a challenge with Mandzukic. Play-on and Spain have a corner on the other side. Taken short, but eventually cleared by Corluka.

Jesus Navas has added something to the Spain side. He gets to the by-line on the right and crosses low, winning a corner off Schildenfeld.

Xavi swings in the corner, but Ramos heads well over the bar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jelavic and Perisic replace Pranjic and Vida</b>

Spain now with a sustained period of possession in the Croatia half and win a corner kick off Strinic.

Croatia are defending superbly tonight. Spain come forward on the counter, but Rakitic gets in to knick the ball off David Silva.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jesus Navas replaces Torres</b> and Silva is now playing up-front.

The ball just won't run for Torres tonight, robbed by Vida this time.

<b>SAVE!</b> Modric counters superbly and shows his immense technique to pick out Rakitic at the back-post, headed at goal but somehow Casillas saves.

Crossed by Rakitic towards the centre of the area. Headed clear by Alonso.

Mandzukic pinches the ball and does brilliantly to win a free-kick on the left touch-line. Everyone forward for Croatia.

Spain in possession now. Long, slow, laborious build-up play.

Taken short, with the ball whipped crossfield to Srna. Handballed by the Croatian skipper.

Croatia pushing very high up now and pinning Spain back. Throw in from the left.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Strinic</b> for a trip on Silva

More flares in the crowd, at both ends now...

Iniesta breaks and looks to slide in Fernando Torres. Overhit.

Jordi Alba is very quick to fall down. He's down again after being flagged offside. No foul.

Corner to Croatia flighted in towards Corluka at the far post. He is climbing all over Pique though, free-kick.

Croatia have edged themselves into the Spain half. Can they do anything?

Croatia yet to touch the ball this half. All Spain, until Arbeloa fouls Strinic.

Unsurprisingly, Spain start with a long spell of possession among their defensive players.

<b>SECOND HALF</b> underway...

The number of permutations for this second-half are ridiculous. Anything could happen.

Spain have had more shots than any other side at Euro 2012. They haven't been very good today though.

Deadlock in Gdansk. Croatia heading out at the moment, but should have had a penalty from Ramos' foul on Mandzukic.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Croatia 0-0 Spain

Two minutes added time...

Spain's best outlet, David Silva, once more finds space. This time he's on the right and wins a corner. Headed clear.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Srna</b> booked for his third foul on Busquets in just a few minutes.

Spain having plenty of the ball in Croatia's half, but they have done next to nothing with it thus far.

Xavi delivers towards Ramos, but the Spanish defender fouls Vedran Corluka.

Corner to Spain. Iniesta and Silva combining. Silva looks to thread through the Barca man, but intercepted.

Xavi looks to slide in Torres, but the ball hits the striker's heel. Silva follows up, but his shot is poor.

Srna penalised once again for a foul on Busquets. It's gone a bit quiet in the stadium. People maybe unsure of the permutations.

Italy now top the group. As it stands, Croatia are going out.

Spain still probing away...

<b>UPDATE</b> Ireland 0-1 Italy

Spain still in possession. Been a long time since Croatia had the ball now.

A great atmosphere in the stadium tonight...

Silva's been Spain's best player so far. This time looking to feed Torres, but doesn't get his pass quite right.

Spain still nice football, but Croatia are coping with their attacks very well so far.

Silva works an opening with a 1-2 played with Xavi Alonso, but slips as he takes his shot. Saved.

Corner is thrown into the centre and Vukojevic goes down under pressure from his marker. Nothing given again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Corluka</b> for his protests

<b>HAS TO BE A PENALTY!</b> Sergio Ramos slides in on Mandzukic (just) inside the area, takes none of the ball and injures his man. Corner given.

Better chance for Mandzukic just moments later. Srna feeds in a low cross for the striker who spoons his shot well over the bar.

Croatia's first shot on target. Pranjic overlaps down the left as they counter and fires low as Casillas.

Pique, inspired by Ramos' effort takes a strike from even further out. Curled over the bar.

Sergio Ramos gets away Spain's second shot on target. A long way out, saved by Pletikosa with ease.

Fernando Torres is looking confident. Running at Vukojevic, squaring him up, then shooting powerfully at goal. Saved by Pletikosa.

Free kick played in, but referee gives a foul against Spain in the area. Goalkeeper hoofs the ball long.

Dangerous free-kick for Spain from the right now. Silva fouled by Vukojevic.

Pranjic wins the ball and breaks down the left. He has no support though and Busquets teams up with Ramos to take the ball.

Alba is incensed. He is clipped by Srna this time. The Croatian lucky not to see a card there.

Croatia holding their own so far, keeping the ball fairly comfortably also.

Now Rakitic and Alba collide. The Spanish bench are incensed, but there was nothing in the tackle.

Croatia pushing forward on the right with Vida. They can't get a decent ball into the area though.

Iniesta penalised for a foul on Srna in midfield. Pressing hard to win back the ball.

Plenty of space for Arbeloa on the right. Always the free-man for Spain.

Lovely interplay between Iniesta and Silva sees the Barcelona man with a fine opportunity. He attempts to finish with the outside of his foot. Saved easily. Poor effort.

Spain as expected looking to retain possession at every opportunity. Will be the same all evening.

Mandzukic seems to skip past Arbeloa and Pique after Croatia win back possession. He appeared to be fouled by Pique. Nothing given.

Torres running the channels on the left, giving Spain an extra option. Still Spain possession.

There is a flare on the pitch. Croatia fans in trouble once more.

Spain moving the ball quickly around in midfield. Not getting anywhere yet...

Xabi Alonso rushed on the ball in midfield, conceding a throw in. Good hassling from the Croatian midfield.

Jordi Albi gets forward well down the left. Crossed towards Torres, who is just beaten to the ball by Schildenfeld.

Croatia passing the ball around well. They need to take advantage when they are given possession.

Taken by Xavi towards the centre of the area. Headed well clear.

Early opportunity for Spain to cross the ball into the area. Mandzukic fouls Busquets. Free-kick

<b>KICK OFF</b> in Gdansk...

Right. Festivities completed. Let's get on with some football. Wolfgang Stark our referee tonight.

Here they come out onto the pitch. Anthem time in Poland.

The teams are in the tunnel. Let's get ready to get started.

Croatia have won one of four meetings with Spain. Spain have two victories, with one draw.

Would be massive for Croatia if they can qualify. With Italy playing Ireland, they will know they may need points here against Spain.

Will Fernando Torres continue his return to form after the Ireland game? Encouraging signs for Spain and Chelsea fans.

<img src="http://i.espncdn.com/i/img/1106856_310_175.jpg"> Spanish fans remind Italy of that possibility.

Remember of course that a 2-2 scoreline will see both these teams through, regardless of the Italy-Ireland score. It couldn't, could it?

Major change for <b>Croatia</b>, Jelavic drops out and Bayern's Danijel Pranjic comes in. <b>Spain</b> unchanged.

Spain team: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Silva, Iniesta; Torres

Croatia team: Pletikosa; Vida, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Vukojevic, Pranjic; Srna, Modric, Rakitic; Mandzukic.

Ahead of the game, you can read Dominic Raynor's excellent preview - <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=334205&ref=espnfc&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

Just over an hour then until Croatia and Spain face off in just over an hour in Gdansk. Both teams can go through tonight, but if Italy win elsewhere, many possibilities open up.