Croatia serve Spain revenge in the form of 93rd minute winner

Croatia 3-2 Spain match report:

It was billed as a grudge match despite zlatko Dalic insisting his side were only interested in playing well. Spain had smashed six past them just two months ago and another two months from making it to the World Cup final. Spain, who were eliminated from the same competition by Russia, were stuck in a infinite loop in that game and have proven in the last couple of games that they are capable of showing their Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde sides when the mood catches them too.

On Thursday in Zagreb, it was a frustrating first half for both sides as tempers bubbled at the surface and more than once things threatened to get out of control. There were mini-battles taking place all over the field as Ceballos and Modric clashed along with Rebic and everyone he came into contact with.

Croatia were sitting back when Spain wanted the ball and were content to keep control without actually controlling the ball. They pressed high for a couple of second after losing it before retreating for fear of being caught out like they were so often back in September against the same opposition.

Ivan Perisic hit the post in those opening exhcnages after De Gea tapped the ball onto the post. Spain, who dominated possession, were largely impotent in front of goal on the odd occasion when they made it that far.

Croatia needed a win to keep their hopes alive and Spain needed a win to ensure they wouldn't have to sweat when England welcome Croatia to Wembley on Sunday so both sides needed to make something happen.

After that first half, which was a frantic kind of boring, the tempest arrived.

It came via a mistake at the back from some close-quarter passing from Spain. Ramos played it out to Roberto, who had his clipped pass cut out. The ball rebounded to Kramaric and Ramos couldn't recover. He called De Gea out but he was on his goalline and the Croatian slammed home to make it 1-0 after 54 minutes.

Just two minutes later, Iago Aspas found Isco in the channel and he squared to Ceballos, who had Vrsaljko draped around him like a cape. He slid home and Spain were level.

Spain's defence malfunctioned against on 69 minutes when a dainty cross from Modric made it's way to the back post, just screaming to be tapped hom. Tin Jedvad obliged as Iñigo Martínez looked around in search of the man who was supposed to be marking the free right-back.

That called Spain back into action when Sime Vrsaljko handled a ball in from Suso that matched Modric's earlier one for lusciousness.

Sergio Ramos, King of Panenkas, stepped up and sent Kalinic the wrong way as he slammed it to his right and left the keeper sprawling to his left. He had the scoreboard attendants scrambling too as the game started to grow into one of the most interesting in international football in some time.

Spain had more chances with Morata having a goal chalked off for offside before Isco's header was blocked too.

The fourth official informed us there would be four minutes of added time as both teams refused to settled for a draw and needed more from the game.

It was Croatia who would be rewarded for their bravery, however, as Jedvad turned home a saved Brekalo shot after a Modric free was saved from going out over the endline by Perisic.

The game ended 3-2 with everything now to play for on Sunday between England and croatia and with Spain being forced to sweat through that game having handed over their fate to their Group 4 rivals.

It can't erase the scars of the 6-0 beating Spain game them in September but as far as revenge goes, a 93rd minute winner is as cold a dish as you can serve.

Croatia - Spain live online: commentary and match updates

Croatia - Spain live online: preview

Croatia manager, Zlatko Dalic, has explicitly stated that his side are not out for revenge for their 6-0 hiding back in September but behind the scenes, he will surely be egging his side on to prove to the world that the result in Elche two months ago was simply a one-night slip rather than something more sinister. "Now, we do not seek revenge, but a really important victory," Dalic said before the game after saying his side performed well for the first 20 minutes of the game before fading badly after failing to convert a number of chances. Davor Suker, on the other hand, said what most Croatians are thinking: "We want revenge for the 6-0."

The Nations League returns on Thursday night with Croatia versus Spain at Stadion Maksimir with kick-off at 20:45 CET. The game has massive implications for Group 4. A win for Croatia will leave them just two points off Spain, who are sitting at the top of the three-team group, along with England sandwiched in between on four points. A win for Spain will see them secure passage to the semi-finals of the competition.

Croatia are without Ivan Strinic and Borna Barisic are due to injury but Milan Badelj is in the squad despite struggling with injury recently. The midfield three of Rakitic, Modric and potentially Brozovic will do battle with LaLiga three of Saul Niguez, Sergio Busquets and Dani Ceballos provided Luis Enrique doesn't spring any surprises. Meanwhile, Jordi Alba will have his hands full with either Perisic or Ante Rebic, who both impressed during the World Cup.

Spain, on the other hand, welcome back Jordi Alba, who has been lighting up LaLiga in recent months despite being given the cold shoulder by Luis Enrique for his first two squads as the manager of the national team. Inigo Martinez returns after a strange situation that saw him pull out of the last squad with very little understanding of his injury. The federation has said it was a lack of communication and the Athletic Bilbao defender has said his commitment to the Spain team is not in question. Meanwhile, Isco is going through a rough spell at Madrid but could play and without Diego Costa, either Rodrigo or Aspas or both could start up front along with Morata who has improved this season at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri.