I didn't see this coming. I knew Croatia would give Spain a much better challenge than the Czechs and Turks, but did not see them playing this well and eventually beating the defending champions. Not by luck, or stealing a goal, but deservedly winning.
Finally these talented Croatians are getting the big results that their talent deserves. There's no point in being a talented team if you don't get the results. The worst thing that people can say is how much better you can do or if only you could play to your potential. Croatia have put all that talk to one side and have taken a huge scalp in a victory as big as their 1998 victory over Germany.
Their coach told them that Spain don't like to do much defending, so their strategy had to be to push bodies forward and force Ramos and Pique to have to work hard to close the spaces.
Croatia also did a lot of good work after going a goal down by not allowing Spain to settle on the ball and possess the game. Most especially, they forced Iniesta into misplaced passes, which is an incredibly hard thing to do. Once they took away Iniesta's dominance, it meant they had more of the ball and more opportunities to really hit Spain hard.
This is a huge victory not just for Croatia as a football team, but what it means with regards to these Euros. by finishing top, they have a very good path to the final. With those that could be on their side of the draw, Croatia can beat anybody if they play this well. After beating the holders, they have no reason not to believe they can outscore and outplay whoever they are paired with from now till the final.
Congratulations to Croatia and they must plow on and make this a memorable Euros. HH
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