Croatia 3-2 Spain: 5 talking points | UEFA Nations League 2018-19
Spain and Croatia went into their UEFA Nations League game in Zadar under very different circumstances. While a draw would have seen Spain through to the semi-finals, Croatia were under pressure to win the game and stay alive.
In a topsy-turvy game, it was Croatia who came out on top, keeping their chances of making the semi-finals live.
Spain although top of the group, don't have their fate in their own hands. They need a draw between England and Croatia at Wembley to advance. It was an unlikely hero in Tin Jedvaj for Croatia, as he scored 2 goals in the game, including the stoppage-time winner.
Spain has suffered back to back losses, which is the reason they now find themselves in this situation, but they still are the only team who can't be relegated, that honour falling to either England or Croatia with their match at Wembley being a case of all or nothing for both nations.
We look back at 5 points from the game between Spain and Croatia.
#5 Croatia pour in the attacks early
While Spain had a hard time creating scoring opportunities early in the game, the Croatians went all guns blazing straight from the off. They were attacking from the word go. Ivan Perisic was the prime troublemaker for the Spanish defence, letting go of shots whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Perisic had an early effort saved by De Gea, and another shot which went across the face of goal. The World Cup finalists utilised their wings very well. They commandeered the wide positions and put in a number of low crosses to their attackers. Spain managed to hang tight during this period, but they were under immense pressure.
Luka Modric also had a good scoring opportunity, but he thought better of it to attempt a cut-back. Spain managed to weather the storm, but still went on to lose in the end. While Croatia attempted a lot in the first half, Spain didn't attempt many shots from the chances they got.