Croatia give Spain pain
NATIONS LEAGUE: WRECKER JEDVAJ
Zagreb
Spain passed up the chance to seal progress to the Nations League finals as they were beaten 3-2 by Croatia on Thursday, undone by a 93rd-minute winner from Tin Jedvaj.
Jedvaj’s late strike leaves Group 4 wide open ahead of its final fixture between England and Croatia tomorrow. The victors will qualify, while Spain can still go through if the match at Wembley finishes in a draw.
Croatia were deserving winners in Zagreb, where Jedvaj scored twice – his first international goals – to snatch a memorable victory at the end.
Andrej Kramaric had put Croatia ahead but twice Spain came back, as Dani Ceballos’ equaliser and Sergio Ramos’ penalty looked to have earned them a point, before Jedvaj broke their hearts.
Croatia now head to London with a spring in their step while Spain are left to ponder back-toback defeats under Luis Enrique following their surprise loss by the same scoreline at home to England last month.
Spain are at least safe from relegation, which cannot be said of either England or Croatia, who could still both finish first or last. England will be relegated if they lose or are held to a score draw. Croatia will go down if they are beaten or draw 0-0.
Jordi Alba went straight into Spain’s line-up while Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez played alongside Ramos in central defence, with Nacho out injured.
Croatia dominated the opening exchanges but Spain began dictating possession as the half wore on.
The game was more balanced and open after the restart and two goals arrived in as many minutes. First, Ramos and Sergi Roberto were pressed into a mistake, the latter’s poor pass allowing Kramaric to sneak in and slot past De Gea with 53 minutes gone.
Ceballos bundled in a quick equaliser and Aspas should have added another soon after but poked onto the crossbar.
Spain paid the price for that miss when Jedvaj headed in his first international goal after meeting Luka Modric’s sumptuous cross at the far post.
Marcelo Brozovic should have put Croatia out of sight but spurned a one-on-one, his shot grazing De Gea on its way wide. This time Spain made them pay.
Sime Vrsaljko hacked substitute Alvaro Morata’s header off the line before giving away a penalty, lowering his arm to meet a cross that was probably on its way behind. Ramos made no mistake from the spot.
Kramaric could have scored but instead it was Jedvaj who struck the decisive blow three minutes into injury time. –