But the Spanish fans were left hailing keeper Iker Casillas as
their Messiah for a string of saves when a huge shock looked on the
cards.
In the end, the Croats crashed out but they came agonisingly
close to dumping the reigning champions from the
competition.
Super sub Jesus Navas pounced for the only goal two minutes from
time. But there was no doubting who was the man of the match in the
eyes of the Spanish fans as they chanted the name of Captain Marvel
Casillas at the whistle.
England manager Roy Hodgson will be praying his side now finish
top of Group D tonight in a bid to avoid Spain — but even then,
that would leave a tough clash with Italy, the runners-up in Group
C.
Slaven Bilic’s Croatia did show England how to get at
Spain.
The champions will still be a monstrous prospect of course.
Although he started Fernando Torres last night, the two-goal
hero of the win against Ireland was hauled off after just 60
minutes for Jesus Navas, a move that angered his own fans.
All the talk of a “fix” came from paranoid Italy — a country
whose game is currently beset with match-fixing problems.
There certainly did not appear any signs of collusion — that
would have guaranteed both sides passage into the quarter-finals —
between two of Europe’s best teams.
Italy had angered both camps by suggesting they would cook up
the mutually convenient result to advance at the expense of the
Azzurri.
A 2-2 draw would have been enough for that to happen and there
were many chances for that to happen.
It worked as keeper Stipe Pletikosa only had to make comfortable
saves from David Silva and Torres when the Spaniards managed a shot
on target.
Xabi Alonso tried from 35 yards and Gerard Pique from 30 yards
and that was indicative of how the Spanish were struggling to find
a breakthrough.
Croatia, on the other hand, were always dangerous and Spurs
playmaker Luka Modric set up Danijel Pranjic but Casillas produced
his first of many good saves.
Silva then fired straight at Pletikosa and seconds later the
Manchester City star’s toe-poke forced another save from the
keeper.
Torres’ thunderous face told its own story as he gave way to
Jesus Navas after just 60 minutes.
Within minutes the Spanish fans showed their disgust shouting
“Llorente, Llorente” in a plea to bring on the Athletic Bilbao
striker.
Bilic responded by introducing another striker and a winger in
Everton’s Nikica Jelavic and Ivan Perisic.
Croatia were the better side and popular demand for Llorente
grew louder and louder.
Instead, Del Bosque opted for another attacking midfielder in
Cesc Fabregas.
The former Arsenal star scored in the first two games against
Italy and then Ireland.
His goal against the Irish came as a late substitute after the
team had played with an out-and-out striker in Torres and stormed
to a three-goal lead.
Andres Iniesta found Fabregas in the box but his Barca team-mate
hesitated and his shot was blocked.
Another brilliant move, that started with Modric, saw Rakitic
cross for Perisic but his blast was blocked by Casillas.
But with Croatia throwing everyone forward, Spain hit them on
the break as Iniesta ran through and squared for Jesus Navas to tap
in.
He can't miss... can he? Spain midfielder Jesus Navas
is presented with an empty net
No mistake: Navas blasts the ball into Croatia's
unguarded goal to settle the game
DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — CASILLAS (SPAIN)
CROATIA: Pletikosa 7, Vida 6, Corluka 7,
Schildenfeld 7, Strinic 7, Vukojevic 7, Rakitic 7, Srna 8, Modric
8, Pranjic 6, Mandzukic 6. SUBS: Jelavic (Vida 66) 6, Perisic
(Pranjic 66) 7, Eduardo (Vukojevic 81) 7. Booked: Corluka, Srna,
Strinic, Rakitic, Mandsukic, Jelavic.
SPAIN: Casillas 8, Arbeloa 6, Pique 7, Ramos 7,
Alba 6, Xavi 6, Busquets 6, Alonso 6, Silva 6, Torres 6, Iniesta 7.
SUBS: Navas (Torres 60) 7, Fabregas (Silva 73) 6, Negredo (Xavi 89)
5.