Pages

Total Pageviews

Monday, June 20, 2016

2016 UEFA Euro in France June 10 - July 10,2016 - Group D Croatia Vs Spain Tuesday June 21,2016



Spain are through to the last 16. They will advance as group winners if they avoid defeat - but will finish second if they lose to Croatia.

A Croatian victory will mean they win the group. They will finish second if they draw, or if they lose and the Czech Republic fail to win.

Match Facts

Head-to-head
  • Croatia have won just one of five matches against Spain (D1, L3).
  • They won their first game against the Spanish, with Roberto Prosinecki and Davor Suker on target in a 2-0 win in Valencia in 1994 - Croatia's first away win since independence.
  • The only previous meeting at a major tournament was during the group stage at Euro 2012. An 88th minute goal from Jesus Navas gave Spain a 1-0 win - eliminating the Croats (who needed a win to progress).
Croatia
  • Croatia have only failed to score once in their last 11 games at the European Championship - in their 1-0 defeat by Spain in 2012.
  • The Croats have attempted 20 more shots than their opponents over their first two games at Euro 2016 but have only scored one more goal.
  • Croatia have only won one game a major tournament in which Luka Modric did not feature since his debut in 2006. That was their 1-0 win against Poland at Euro 2008. He was rested for that game as they were already through.
  • Ivan Perisic has been involved in two of Croatia's last five goals at the European Championship (one goal, one assist).
  • Captain Darijo Srna is set to play his 17th game at a major tournament, a new Croatian record.
Spain
  • Spain are unbeaten in 14 games at the European Championship (W11, D3).
  • They haven't let in a goal in 690 minutes of action at the tournament.
  • Spain have only conceded one goal in their last 11 European Championship games, which was scored by Italy's Antonio Di Natale on 10 June 2012 , in a 1-1 draw.
  • Andres Iniesta has made 177 successful passes at Euro 2016, more than any other Spain player.

Eyes on Troublesome Fans As Croatia Meet Spain


When Croatia meet Spain in their final Euro 2016 group match on Tuesday there will be as much scrutiny of developments in the stands as on the pitch.

The wilder element of the Croatian supporters have caused trouble at both of the country's games so far and European soccer's ruling body UEFA was expected to make an announcement on its probe into their behaviour later on Monday June 20,2016

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings after Croatia fans threw flares and ran on to the pitch during their opening Group D game, a 1-0 win against Turkey.

Then Friday June 17,2016 's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic was halted with four minutes to play when supporters again threw flares and fought among themselves.

After the teams returned to the pitch, Croatia's players felt their concentration had been disturbed, which contributed to the Czechs scoring a late equaliser with a penalty.

That means instead of already having qualified for the last 16 along with Spain, Croatia still require a point from Tuesday's game, adding to the tension of the occasion.

The Croatian FA's security officer said on Saturday they had told UEFA and the police there would be a planned demonstration near the end of the Czech game and they have further information about Tuesday's match, which they will pass to the authorities.
"We lost our pace when play was suspended because of our supporters," midfielder Ivan Rakitic told


The Spaniards, however, have not been blameless in a tournament which has seen several incidents of bad behaviour from fans.

Three of Spain's followers were arrested in Nice for carrying neo-Nazi banners, and another three for trying to bring flares into the stadium ahead of the match against Turkey.

Group D Croatia beat Defending Champion Spain 2-1

Ivan Perisic struck a sensational winner in the 87th minute as Croatia ended Spain's 14-game unbeaten run at the European Championship to top Group D after a 2-1 victory in Bordeaux on Tuesday.

Alvaro Morata's early strike in the 7th minute got Spain off to a flying start, but, despite the absence of key man Luka Modric through injury, Croatia battled back to equalise before half-time through Nikola Kalinic. 


Croatia coach Ante Cacic made five changes while his team were without key midfielder Luka Modric and striker Mario Mandzukic through injury.

Nevertheless, they managed to provide further evidence they pose a danger to any team in the tournament by not only showing character to come back from a goal down but discipline in defence and a threat when going forward.

Perisic and captain Darijo Srna are key to their play with their energetic running on the flanks and ability to whip in dangerous crosses, like the one which led to the equaliser.

  • This is the first time Spain have ever lost a game in a Euro finals tournament after being ahead.
  • Sergio Ramos is the first Spanish player to miss a penalty at a European Championship since Raul v France in 2000.
  • Cesc Fabregas has been involved in more goals than any other Spaniard at Euro finals (three goals, five assists).




No comments:

Post a Comment