Croatia, on Tuesday evening, produced one of the biggest shocks yet at the 2016 European Championship by beating tournament favourites and defending champions, Spain, 2-1 at Matmut Atlantique Stadium, Bordeaux.
Alvaro Morata early strike was cancelled by Nikola Kalinic and Ivan Perisic with Sergio Ramos missing a spot-kick for Vicente del Bosque’s side.
Croatia progress as group winners, leaving the Spanish facing with a last-16 clash against Italy.
Here is what we learned about Ante Cacic’s side from the match.
- Darijo Srna the leader
Just last week, the 133-capped Croatia legend flew home to be with his family after the death of his father. He returned to play in his team’s draw with the Czech Republic, then made Croatian history against Spain with a record 17th major tournament appearance for the Vatreni. And he was terrific against la Roja, leading by example at the back and offering support in attack too.
Srna, who also broke Shakhtar Donetsk’s all-time appearance record in April, won six of his seven attempted tackles – the most of any player – and chucked in four crosses in attack, two of which found a blue shirt. Aged 34, he’s still got it.
- Ruthless counter-attack
Belgium are probably the deadliest side at Euro 2016 in this respect, but Croatia have clearly got the players to do damage here too. Their winner began in defence with a fine block from Srna, was crafted by some neat hold-up play from the impressive Kalinic, and finished off with a blitzing run and finish from their wide man Perisic.
On the other flank, Dinamo Zagreb’s 21-year-old Marko Pjaca was also terrific: he completed seven of his eight attempted take-ons, mostly from deep positions, thus offering Croatia another excellent outlet down the right. The below dribbles were basically his and Perisic’s work, and meant Spain full-backs Juanfran and Jordi Alba were given a rough ride. What better way to nullify the latter pair’s attacking threat? It was good enough for Leicester last season.
- Badelj the brute
The Fiorentina man was brutally effective for Croatia: he recovered possession 12 times, five more than any other player, won all four of his tackles (only Srna completed more), completed the joint-most interceptions and made the most blocks (3) of anyone else on the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, the 27-year-old is a player in demand: despite having two years left on his Viola contract it doesn’t look like he’ll be staying put, and a club with Champions League football looks likely to win his signature this summer. Milan Badelj’s agent has been angling for a move – and Tottenham have been heavily linked.
- Tireless Perisic
The Inter wideman was already earning plaudits before his 87th-minute winner, having laid on Kalinic’s equaliser just before half-time and generally proved a menace with his insatiable work-rate down the left.
Perisic has rarely earned the credit he deserves as a footballer, but should he continue with performances like this there’s a strong chance he’ll be up there for end-of-tournament individual honours. Juanfran was beaten all ends up before the 27-year-old’s assist for Kalinic, who he also supported ably throughout – check out his average position on the Player Influence Stats Zone grab below. With a display like this, he’s a lone striker’s dream.
