Croatia vs Spain 1-2

Spain came from a goal down to win 2-1 in Split, with Mikel Merino settling it in the 88th minute after coming off the bench at half-time. Croatia had led since the 17th minute, but Spain controlled the ball and finished stronger.

Ivan Perišić opened the scoring in the 17th minute for Croatia. The hosts led 1-0 at half-time after a first period that also brought a yellow card for Slaven Bilic in the 14th minute and another for Perišić on 22 minutes.

Spain levelled in the 61st minute when Merino, who came on in the 45th minute, scored from Daniel Olmo Carvajal's assist to make it 1-1. Croatia then made three changes between the 65th and 88th minutes, while Spain made a double change on 71 minutes and kept pressing. Merino scored again in the 88th minute, his second of the match, from Martín Zubimendi's assist to make it 2-1. Croatia were then reduced to 10 men when Perišić was sent off in the 79th minute.

Spain had 72% of the possession and 774 passes to Croatia's 296, while both sides finished with 10 shots. Croatia had more shots on target, 5 to 3, but Spain led 6-3 on corners and 4-1 on saves. Croatia had 12 fouls to Spain's 10, and Spain were caught offside twice.

The bookings were shared across both sides. Croatia's cautions went to Slaven Bilic in the 14th minute, Ivan Perišić in the 22nd minute and Luka Modrić on 65 minutes, before Perišić's red card in the 79th minute. Spain's yellow cards went to Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante in the 66th minute and Víctor Muñoz in stoppage time.