2. Ivan Perisic’s 87th minute winner against defending champions Spain to make it 2-1:
Croatia were one of the dark horses in this year’s EURO finals and they had been stunned by a Czech Republic comeback in the earlier game when Croatia conceded twice in the second half, the equalizer was a stoppage time penalty converted from Czech Republic.
More importantly, they had their star player Luka Modric injured for this game and they were facing the defending champions in Spain. When was the last time you saw Spain lose a game at a European tournament?
Spain had put themselves ahead early into the lead when Alvaro Morato put the ball into the next from a Cesc Fabregas shot. It looked Spain were certain of topping the group stages with at most ease.
Nikola Kalinic equalized just before the half time whistle from a great back heel flick to beat Manchester United’s goalkeeper at the near post after Perisic delivered the cross from the left.
Ivan Persic then went onto capitalize when Sergio Ramos had his penalty saved in the 72’, Croatia were on the counter attack and Perisic struck a low left-footed shot to beat De Gea on his near post again in the 87’ minute.
Croatia not only stunned Spain by defeating them by a late, dramatic winner but also won the group, and Spain will thus have to face Italy in the last sixteen of the EURO 2016.
