Played
June 18, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
PGE Arena Gdańsk — Gdańsk
Referee: W. Stark
Attendance: 39076
June 18, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
PGE Arena Gdańsk — Gdańsk
Referee: W. Stark
Attendance: 39076
Euro 2012 Preview: Croatia - Spain
The two teams have the luxury of sitting at the top of the table on four points each, knowing a victory or even a high-scoring draw will book a coveted spot in the knockout round
By Adam Scime
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
|
CROATIA
 Pletikosa Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic Vukojevic, Rakitic Mandzukic, Modric, Perisic Jelavic |
SPAIN
 Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba Busquets, Alonso Silva, Xavi, Iniesta Torres |
Croatia and Spain lead Group C going into their final clash, but neither are assured of a place in the quarterfinals just yet.
After coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Italy, coach Slaven Bilic may stick with the tactical adjustment of switching from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1, which allowed his side to score the crucial equalizer. Playmaker Luka Modric was pushed further up field and goalscorer Mario Mandzukic off to the right of the attack in a move that paid second-half dividends on Thursday.
However, Everton striker Nikica Jelavic missed training on Saturday with a fever, although he is still expected to recover in time to lead the line against the champions at the PGE Arena Gdansk.
The Spanish were in fine form last time out, humiliating Republic of Ireland 4-0 and are likely to make do with an identical starting XI, but coach Vicente del Bosque will be wary of the fact that Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fernando Torres are on yellow cards and could miss the last-eight clash - assuming Spain qualifies - if they pick up another booking.
The former Real Madrid boss has hinted that Cesc Fabregas, despite scoring in both games at the finals thus far, is likely to find himself on the bench. Meanwhile, attackers Juan Mata and Fernando Llorente will be hoping to earn their first minutes on the pitch at Euro 2012 at some point in the match even if it is in the form of a substitute appearance.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Croatia and Del Bosque's side can both guarantee their place in the quarterfinals with a draw of 2-2 or higher.
Croatia has never faced Spain in a competitive match. All four of the meetings between the two sides have been friendlies, with their only victory coming via a 2-0 triumph back in 1994. Croatia's overall record against Spain is W1, D1, L2.
- Striker Mario Mandzukic has been clinical at Euro 2012, scoring three times from four attempts on goal.
- Croatia has not lost any of its last six matches at the European Championship, being ousted only via a penalty shootout by Turkey in 2008.
- Spain set a new record with 860 passes at the tournament during its 4-0 win over Ireland, beating the previous landmark of 778.
- Xavi (pictured right) set a new individual record himself in the competition by attempting 136 passes against the Boys in Green, beating Ronald Koeman's total of 117 from a Euro 1992 clash versus Denmark.
- The champions have only conceded one goal in their last six matches at major international tournaments.
- Fernando Torres' double in the victory over Ireland took him to 30 international goals, making him the country's third all-time top scorer behind only Raul and David Villa.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Croatia 0-2 Spain
- 16.11 %
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Croatia 1-3 Spain
- 15.15 %
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Croatia 1-2 Spain
- 11.11 %
| European Championship Qualification 2012 (EC) | Jun 18, 2012 | Croatia 0 - Spain 1 |
|
| International Friendlies (FR) | Jun 7, 2006 | Croatia 1 - Spain 2 |
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Croatia
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| Mar 26, 2013 | Wales 1 - Croatia 2 | WCQE |
| Mar 22, 2013 | Croatia 2 - Serbia 0 | WCQE |
| Feb 6, 2013 | South Korea 0 - Croatia 4 | FR |
| Oct 16, 2012 | Croatia 2 - Wales 0 | WCQE |
| Oct 12, 2012 | Macedonia FYR 1 - Croatia 2 | WCQE |
Spain
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| Mar 26, 2013 | France 0 - Spain 1 | WCQE |
| Mar 22, 2013 | Spain 1 - Finland 1 | WCQE |
| Feb 6, 2013 | Spain 3 - Uruguay 1 | FR |
| Nov 14, 2012 | Panama 1 - Spain 5 | FR |
| Oct 16, 2012 | Spain 1 - France 1 | WCQE |
| 1 | Stipe Pletikosa | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Ivan Strinic | Defender |
| 5 | Vedran Corluka | Defender |
| 11 | Darijo Srna | Defender |
| 13 | Gordon Schildenfeld | Defender |
| 21 | Domagoj Vida | Defender |
| - | Danijel Pranjic | |
| 7 | Ivan Rakitic | Midfielder |
| 8 | Ognjen Vukojevic | Midfielder |
| 10 | Luka Modric | Midfielder |
| 17 | Mario Mandzukic | Midfielder |
| - | Ivan Keleva | |
| 23 | Danijel Subasic | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Josip Simunic | Defender |
| - | Jurica Buljat | |
| 14 | Milan Badelj | Midfielder |
| - | Sime Vrsaljko | Midfielder |
| - | Tomislav Dujmovic | |
| 19 | Niko Kranjcar | Midfielder |
| 20 | Ivan Perisic | Midfielder |
| 9 | Nikica Jelavic | Striker |
| 16 | Nikola Kalinic | Striker |
| 22 | Eduardo | Striker |
| - | Iker Casillas | |
| 3 | Piqué | Defender |
| 15 | Sergio Ramos | Defender |
| 17 | Arbeloa | Defender |
| 18 | Jordi Alba | Defender |
| 6 | Andrés Iniesta Luján | Midfielder |
| 8 | Xavi | Midfielder |
| 14 | Xabi Alonso | Midfielder |
| 16 | Busquets | Midfielder |
| 21 | David Silva | Midfielder |
| - | Fernando Torres | |
| 12 | Víctor Valdés | Goalkeeper |
| 23 | José Reina Paez | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Raúl Albiol Tortajada | Defender |
| - | Juanfran | |
| - | Javi Martínez | Midfielder |
| 10 | Cesc Fàbregas | Midfielder |
| 20 | Santi Cazorla | Midfielder |
| 22 | Jesús Navas González | Midfielder |
| 7 | Pedro | Striker |
| 11 | Negredo | Striker |
| 13 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| - | Fernando Llorente Torres |
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fernando Torres Striker Chelsea |
3 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
3 | 0 |
|
Mario Gomez Striker FC Bayern München |
3 | 0 |
|
Mario Balotelli Striker Milan |
3 | 0 |
|
Mario Mandzukic Striker FC Bayern München |
3 | 0 |
