Croatia vs Spain: Euro 2020 team news and prediction

With two of the four quarter-final games already in place, Croatia take on Spain with a spot in the next round and a meeting with France or Switzerland in the offing. 

Ahead of this last-16 clash, we provide all the vital pre-match information, including where to watch the match, what time it kicks off, key team news and probable XIs.  

When is kick off?         

Monday 28th June, 17:00 GMT         

Where is the match?         

Parken, Copenhagen (Denmark) 

What TV channel is it on?      

ITV  

Route to the last-16 

Croatia faced an uphill struggle from the outset after losing their opening group game 1-0 to England. They were then held to a 1-1 draw by the Czech Republic, but ultimately finished second in Group D as a 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden saw them secure a spot in the last-16. 

Spain were dominant in meetings with Sweden and Poland, but were forced to share the spoils in both clashes, meaning they went into their final Group E game needing to beat Slovakia. La Roja made light work of the Falcons, however, romping to a 5-0 win in Seville to finish second behind Sweden and set up a knockout stage meeting with Croatia. 

Team News 

It remains to be seen if Borna Barisic will be fit enough to start for Croatia this evening, which should see Josko Gvardiol feature at left-back once more. However, the big news for Croatia is the absence of Ivan Perisic, who misses the meeting with Spain after returning a positive COVID-19 test over the weekend. Ante Rebic is expected to get the nod over Josip Brekalo to deputise for the 32-year-old on the left. Duje Caleta-Car had lost his spot to Dejan Lovren, but with the latter suspended, the former is expected to return to the defence.

Spain boss Luis Enrique has no major injury or suspension concerns of note. Enrique is expected to keep faith with Alvaro Morata, despite his penalty miss against Slovakia, though he does have Gerard Moreno in reserve if needed. Cesar Azpilicueta may keep his spot at right-back at the expense of Marcos Llorente, while further forward, Pablo Sarabia should start on the right after a man of the match display last week. David de Gea has sustained a thigh problem and is expected to miss out, though was unlikely to start anyway.

Probable XIs

Croatia (433) - Livakovic; Vrsaljko, Caleta-Car, Vida, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Vlasic, Petkovic, Rebic

Spain (433) - Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Torres, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Koke; Sarabia, Morata, Olmo

Key Battle: Luka Modric vs Koke

Luka Modric's first goal at Euro 2020 was as sweet as they come. The Croatia captain found the top corner from the edge of the box with a perfectly executed outside-of-the-boot effort in their 3-1 win over Scotland. Fans are hoping he can replicate the feat against Spain this evening as they look to make it three wins from four against La Roja.

While Croatia do have the better recent head-to-head record, Spain did record a 6-0 win over the Vatreni back in 2018. Koke missed that thumping victory, but is one of the first names on the team sheet for Spain at Euro 2020. Up against a familiar foe in Modric, Koke is aware he needs to help control the midfield battle to deny the Real Madrid star the chance to pull the strings in Copenhagen.

Score Prediction: Croatia 1-1 Spain