Euro Cup 2012 Results – Croatia 0 – 1 Spain

The game kicks off here in Gdansk and its spain who make the first attack and who get the first free-kick of the match. Spain playing in a light blue kit tonight VERY unusual.. Spain with the first real chance resorting in the first corner which is subsequently headed over by Torres.

Referee has had to stop the game here 7 minutes in when yet another flair from the croatia fans billows smoke into the stadium, play only stopped for a minute or so. The best chance of the game so far with Andres Iniesta being found expertly by David Silva who tries to toe poke it past Pletikosa but fails, really nice play.

Spain are DOMINATING the possession here as you might expect, its going to be a long game for Croatia if the game continues like this, almost 20 minutes gone and Croatia have only had 1 real chance. The croatians are getting a bit cheeky here, leaving foots in and trying to get into the Spaniards face’s, the only thing it is doing however is conceding free-kicks.

Fernando Torres makes a good run down the right forcing a save from the from Pletikosa, from the resulting corner the ball finds Sergio Ramos near the edge of the area and he strikes a shot on target but too far away to be threating. Two minutes later and Croatia are on a decent attack with some good play, two good chances created there, better from Croatia.

Big shout for a penalty for Croatia Mandzukic is down with Sergio Ramos sliding in with studds up, poor decision by all the referee’s out there, it was right in from of the 5th Official as well! David Silva has a good opportunity there but slips just as he strikes.

Half Time approaching here and for the last 5 minutes Spain have been all over Croatia but without any real good chances. Spain not really doing enough to win this game even with all of their possession. To Croatia’s credit they are dealing with spains threat well but they arent creating anything themselves, this game is like a chess match here. At half time the game is 0 – 0

The second half kicks off here with Croatia having the first corner of the second half, well won by modric but the chance comes to nothing. Spain seem to have a bit more urgency about them now, but really lacking that killer final ball.

Best chance of the half so far with Spain Iniesta attempting to thread through Torres but the ball is just hit a little to hard. Both sets of fans misbehaving now with a Flare at either end of the pitch, how do they even get them into the stands! you’d think they would have searched these people!

Croatia have a free-kick in a dangerous position here nearing the 60Th minute now, I have to say not much is happening in this match, the free-kick proves it as it doesn’t even beat the first man. Modric breaks for Croatia and finds Rakatic who headers straight at Casillas, with a sumptuous cross, really good play their by the Croatia midfielder.

Torres is replaced here by Jesus Navas and spain are back similar to their first Euro cup 2012 game with no strikers on the pitch. I have to say that doesn’t bode well for this game. 5 minutes later Croatia throw on a couple of strikers to try and force the game a bit. Not the best match of this Euro Cup 2012 I much admit.

Spain piling on the pressure here, really trying to score but still not having much luck here. Spain having a number of corners in succession here and Croatia are camped in their half.

almost 10 mintes left in this second half and as much as spain mess around on the edge of the box they just cant produce a real chance. Croatia have been camped in their half for the last 10 minutes but they have made a break here and won a corner but it comes nothing spain attack dangerously while Croatia have moved players forward but Buesquets squanders the chance and a great challenge from Srna.

Navas with a really good effort and well saved by Pletikosa in the 85th minute, Spain are back on top here really pushing for a winner again and Croatia still looking dangerous on the break. Croatia have a corner here after a decent attack. Another shout for a penalty here for Croatia with Buesquets pulling Corluka down.

At the other end Fabregas chips over the Croatia defence with Iniesta and Navas passing around the goalkeeper to finish the goalkeeper. Croatia are throwing everything forward in the last minute, with 4 minutes to be played, spain almost score but from some great defending, Spain keeping the ball here now. Goalkeepers up for a Croatia freekick here but it comes to nothing and the game ends 1 – 0 to Spain. Spain top the group with Italy in second place.