An aggressive Croatian side tested Spain for most of the game. Fortunately for Spain, Casillas came to the rescue on Croatia's best chance to take the lead.
Spain knew going into their final match against Croatia that their spot was not guaranteed in the quarter-finals. A defeat at the hands of Croatia with an Italian victory would send the current European and World Cup Champions out of the tournament.
It was evident early on that the Croatian side came to play as their work on and off the ball was incredible. They challenged every ball and were making Spain really work for everything in the final third. Iniesta may have had Spain's best chance after being sent in by David Silva, but the Barcelona midfielder was unable to put the ball past Pletikosa.
Sergio Ramos may consider himself fortunate after a dangerous tackle on the edge of the box on Mandzukic which could have been a penalty in favor of Croatia.
In the second half, with Italy leading Ireland, Spain knew that a goal for Croatia would send them out. They played cautious but started to get through the Croatian side with a little more ease. As the Croatian's knew a scoreless draw would eliminate them with an Italian victory, Slaven Bilic began to take chances.
A very poor Fernando Torres was brought off in the second half being replaced by Jesus Navas who would prove to be the key factor for Spain. Many questions Del Bosque's decision to bring on Navas instead of Fabregas, but his pace was just an added headache for the Croatian defense.
Rakitic had the opportunity to put Croatia ahead as Luka Modric played in a mouth-watering pass, if not for Iker Casillas coming up with a great reaction save. That opportunity gave the Croatian's added confidence and may have sent alarm bells ringing through the Spanish side.
Spain kept at it and finally got the break through as a ball over the top found Xavi who gave Jesus Navas an empty goal to shoot at, putting Spain ahead 1-0 very late in the match.
The current champions continue their run in an attempt to claim three major trophy's consecutively. They will find out tomorrow who their opponents are as they will face the second placed team from Group D. Spain has built a reputation of beautiful and winning football. Will they be able to put their name on another major trophy?
It was evident early on that the Croatian side came to play as their work on and off the ball was incredible. They challenged every ball and were making Spain really work for everything in the final third. Iniesta may have had Spain's best chance after being sent in by David Silva, but the Barcelona midfielder was unable to put the ball past Pletikosa.
Sergio Ramos may consider himself fortunate after a dangerous tackle on the edge of the box on Mandzukic which could have been a penalty in favor of Croatia.
In the second half, with Italy leading Ireland, Spain knew that a goal for Croatia would send them out. They played cautious but started to get through the Croatian side with a little more ease. As the Croatian's knew a scoreless draw would eliminate them with an Italian victory, Slaven Bilic began to take chances.
A very poor Fernando Torres was brought off in the second half being replaced by Jesus Navas who would prove to be the key factor for Spain. Many questions Del Bosque's decision to bring on Navas instead of Fabregas, but his pace was just an added headache for the Croatian defense.
Rakitic had the opportunity to put Croatia ahead as Luka Modric played in a mouth-watering pass, if not for Iker Casillas coming up with a great reaction save. That opportunity gave the Croatian's added confidence and may have sent alarm bells ringing through the Spanish side.
Spain kept at it and finally got the break through as a ball over the top found Xavi who gave Jesus Navas an empty goal to shoot at, putting Spain ahead 1-0 very late in the match.
The current champions continue their run in an attempt to claim three major trophy's consecutively. They will find out tomorrow who their opponents are as they will face the second placed team from Group D. Spain has built a reputation of beautiful and winning football. Will they be able to put their name on another major trophy?
