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A solitary goal from Jesus Navas was enough to give Spain a 1-0 win over Croatia last night. Let us see how the players from both teams have fared in the game.
Croatia
GK – Stipe Pletikosa-7
You would normally expect a Goalie facing Spain to be tested more in goal. But, due to Spain’s rather slow approach last night, Pletikosa wasn’t tested much. He was doing pretty well until the 88th minute, when Iniesta and Navas got behind the Croatian defence and scored the only goal of the match. There wasn’t much he could do about that.
RB – Domagoj Vida -6
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He didn’t read Iniesta’s moment properly, but made up for that in contributing to the attack. He formed a really good link with Srna, who was playing in an advanced role in the right wing.
CB – Vedran Corluka – 7.5
It was a solid performance last night by Corluka. He was at the right places and never gave any width for the Spanish forwards. He remained was a threat in set pieces going forward. Overall, he was inch perfect.
CB – Gordon Schildenfeld – 7.5
GDANSK, POLAND – JUNE 18: Cesc Fabregas of Spain is marshaleld by Ognjen Vukojevic, Vedran Corluka, Darijo Srna and Gordon Schildenfeld of Croatia during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Croatia and Spain at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Gordon along with Corluka managed to keep the World and European Champions away from goal for 88 minutes! Now, that is a massive achievement. His marking of Fernando Torres was fantastic as he frustrated the Chelsea forward throughout the night.
LB – Ivan Strinic – 5.5
Probably the only weak link in the Croatian defense. David Silva was easily getting past him at every chance he got, and Strinic was also responsible for letting Navas slip through and score that decisive goal.
RM – Darijo Srna – 7
It was a captain’s performance by Srna. Despite being a natural right back, he played on the right wing last night. But, then again, he was mostly clearing balls and fending off attacks from Iniesta. Overall, he didn’t do much wrong.
CM – Ivan Rakitic – 6.5
Rakitic should have given Croatia the lead, but he was denied by Iker Casillas. After getting a delightful ball from Modric, he had to put the ball into the net. But, Iker Casillas palmed the ball away from goal. Other than that, Rakitic was pretty decent on the pitch.
CM – Ognjen Vukojevic – 6
He was solid in the midfield breaking up the Spanish attacks. But, he never really provided anything on the offense.
LM – Danijel Pranjic – 5-5
Although he put in a great deal of effort, he often lost the ball and couldn’t get the better of Arbeloa. He didn’t manage to get enough possession to create any kind of impact.
AM – Luka Modric – 7.5
Modric was very influential early on in the game but then disappeared in the ending stages. He did make some clever passes and quick runs throughout the game. He also set up a perfect opportunity for Rakitic from which he should have scored.
ST – Mario Mandzukic – 5
GDANSK, POLAND – JUNE 18: Mario Mandzukic of Croatia reacts during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Croatia and Spain at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Mandzukic had to play the lone-forward, and he didn’t do well at all last night. He had a fair penalty shout that was turned down. But, truth be told, he hardly had the ball at his feet to test the Spanish defense.
Subs
Nikica Jelavic (on 66′) – 5
Jelavic was often disconnected with the rest of the team. He never really made any connection with the midfield and did not offer any threat to the Spanish defence.
Ivan Perisic (on 66′) – 5.5
He was too rash and too fast on the pitch. If he tried to control and shoot the ball after getting Srna’s pass, he could have scored a goal from there.
Eduardo (on 81′) – N/A
Played for a very short time to leave any impact.
Spain
GK – Iker Casillas – 8
Casillas made that vital save which kept Rakitic’s effort away from goal. He lead his team by example.
RB – Alvaro Arbeloa – 6.5
Didn’t do much in offense, but he managed to keep Pranjic quiet for a long time.
CB – Sergio Ramos – 8
He was as adventurous as always. Sent in some early long balls into the box, and was ever present in the attack. Defensively, didn’t much wrong. A solid night for Ramos.
CB – Gerard Pique – 7.5
This is what Pique does day in day out. Mark and bore the opposition’s striker. He did exactly that to Mandzukic keeping him away from goal.
LB – Jordi Alba – 6.5
I didn’t see anything special from him. He does have that additional pace going forward but other than that, it was an ordinary performance from Alba.
LM – Xabi Alonso – 6
Very ordinary performance from an otherwise superb Alonso. His long passes failed to reach his targets, and he didn’t offer any support to the forwards. But, he did win the ball in the midfield.
CM – Sergio Busquets – 6.5
Played as a workhorse as always. He was winning balls in the midfield. But, his theatrics left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
RM – Xavi – 7
Xavi was persistent in the Spanish midfield. He did everything by the text book but his set pieces were really poor. His corners were very ordinary and Spain quite frankly don’t have any strategy for taking corners.
RF- David Silva – 8
GDANSK, POLAND – JUNE 18: Vedran Corluka of Croatia and David Silva of Spain compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Croatia and Spain at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
David Silva has been consistent throughout the tournament and he proved his mettle once again last night. He was breaking in pretty easily and troubled Ivan Strinic from early on. He was also very consistent.
LF – Andres Iniesta – 7.5
Iniesta had a very good game. He could have very well gone for the goal once he got clear of the Croatian defense, but he made sure that his team gets a win by passing the ball to Navas. Selfless!
ST – Fernando Torres – 5.5
After scoring a brace against Ireland, Torres wasn’t at his best against Croatia. He did very little in the match, and was subbed in the second half.
Subs
Jesus Navas (on 61′) – 8
Scored the all important goal. More than that, he added more teeth to the Spanish attack. Will del Bosque give him a start? Unlikely but he deserves it.
Cesc Fabregas (on 73′) – 7.5
GDANSK, POLAND – JUNE 18: Jesus Navas of Spain celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Croatia and Spain at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
He created the chance for Spain and it was converted into the only goal of the match. He showed tremendous intent when he came off the bench and that led to the goal. Fabregas might as well start the next game.
Alvaro Negredo (on 89′) – N/A
