Croatia vs. Spain: Live Stream, Odds and Form Guide for Euro 2016
Group D comes to its exciting conclusion at UEFA Euro 2016 on Tuesday with Spain and Croatia vying to finish top when they meet in Bordeaux, France.
La Roja need only avoid defeat to finish first, while Croatia have to win after collapsing against the Czech Republic on Friday, though a draw will be enough to guarantee them second place and assure them of a place in the next round.
Read on for a preview of the game, but first here are the viewing details, the latest odds and a form guide for each team.
Date: Tuesday, June 21
Time: 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET
TV: ITV 1 (UK), ESPN3 (U.S.)
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK), WatchESPN (U.S.)
| Spain win | 11-10 |
| Draw | 11-5 |
| Croatia win | 50-13 |
| W vs. Turkey (3-0) | D vs. Czech Republic (2-2) |
| W vs. Czech Republic (1-0) | W vs. Turkey (1-0) |
| L vs. Georgia (1-0) | W vs. San Marino (10-0) |
| W vs. South Korea (6-1) | W vs. Moldova (1-0) |
Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.
Preview
After scraping past the Czech Republic 1-0 in their opener on June 13 with a late Gerard Pique winner, it felt as though Spain arrived at Euro 2016 on Friday as they put Turkey to the sword with a 3-0 win that could have been even more comprehensive.
Bleacher Report UK's Karl Matchett hailed their faultless performance:
Alvaro Morata added another feather to his cap with a brilliant outing that saw him net twice. Squawka Football revealed the impressive numbers behind his evening:
Despite plenty of strong Spanish centre-forwards plying their trade in Europe, the position has been something of a problem area for the national team in recent years—they used a false nine for much of the last European Championship.
Morata's emergence gives La Roja a more clinical dimension, a player who can provide the potency to finish off the chances and flowing team moves the side can create.
That's what he did against Turkey—the striker was on hand to finish off a delightful move that involved almost the entire team, per OptaJohan:
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes manager Vicente del Bosque must take the credit for Spain's play, per Goal:
"The coach transmits security and calmness. You always go out on the pitch knowing what you have to do. He gives us that freedom on the field and you feel free to play your game.
That's very important at the moment, especially for skilled players. Del Bosque is key.
[...]
My feelings are positive. Some leaders are gone but the younger ones are contributing a lot. There's a lot of unity and on the pitch that means we play with more confidence.
"
While Spain have already secured a place in the knockout phase, winning the group will not only build further confidence, but could help grant them a more straightforward tie in the round of 16.
Croatia may settle for the point they need, but they will also recognise the importance of finishing the group stage as strongly as possible.
They may have to do so without star player Luka Modric, as his "fitness remains a major concern" following his withdrawal in the stalemate with the Czech Republic, per Goal.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker noted the impact it could have if he were to miss further game time because of injury:
Indeed, Modric's substitution had an immediate consequence—without their talisman controlling the play in the centre, Croatia collapsed and threw away a two-goal lead. Bleacher Report UK's Adam Digby was unsurprised:
Croatia's Mateo Kovacic endured a difficult season at Real Madrid but can be an excellent player on his day, and it will be up to him and the likes of Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic to fill in.
Rakitic in particular has had a strong tournament thus far and been their most effective creator, per OptaJoe:
Even without Modric, Croatia have players who can cause problems for Spain. However, without the Real Madrid man's assured play and his controlling influence in midfield, La Roja should be free to dominate the ball as they normally do and will likely expect to win.
