Jesus Navas came off the bench to salvage a last-gasp victory for an otherwise unimpressive Spain side against Croatia in their final Group C match in Gdansk.
Up against a stubborn Croatia side, the much vaunted Spain, who thrashed Republic of Ireland in their previous match 4-0, failed to create too many clear-cut chances. Navas scored in the 88th minute off a tap in, after some brilliant play from Cesc Fabregas, who played through a perfect ball through to the excellent Andres Iniesta.
The Barcelona midfielder only had to lay it onto the path of Navas, who had a gaping net to score the game's only goal. Spain go through as winners of Group C with 7 points, and will now meet the runners-up in Group D. In the day's other match, Italy beat Ireland 2-0 to seal second place. They now face the winners of Group D in the quarterfinals.
Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic had the game's best two chances, with Croatia playing a really good waiting game and hitting the Spaniards on the counter attack. Spain's opponents in the next round will be encouraged by the excellent show put on by Croatia, knowing that there is a way to stop the Spain side from marauding all over you.
Iniesta acknowledged the difficulty they faced against a very good Croatia side. "Yes, we suffered. It was a tough and very difficult game for us. It's the kind of games where you are close, but not quite. And that is dangerous.
"We are not machines. We have said that Croatia have got young and very talented players.
Speaking about the game's only goal, Iniesta said: "It was spectacular, just in the right moment. Then, I saw Jesus Navas with the blink of an eye, and he just had to put it in."
The Barca playmaker said he had no preference when it came to the opponents his side would face in the quarterfinals. "I have got no preferences. Both England and France are very strong teams, but the most important thing is that Spain reaches well the next round."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic felt Croatia were a little unlucky. "We came here to go all the way and we failed because we lacked that tiny bit of luck that makes all the difference," Bilic said.
"We knew we would have two or three chances and we had the one with Rakitic and when you get a chance like that you have to take it.
"This was a really difficult group and we are proud of what we did.
"We can go back home with our heads held high. To play against Spain is really tough. They are such a tactical team."
However, Bilic suggested Spain would struggle to retain their title. "I don't see them as the really big favorites.
"There are quite a few teams that maybe have more pace and are hungry to win and maybe more aggressive on the pitch than Spain."
