Spain captain Sergio Ramos said the defending champions must learn from the mistakes that cost them top spot in Euro 2016 Group D as they lost 2-1 to Croatia in Bordeaux
Sergio Ramos
Bordeaux: Spain captain Sergio Ramos said the defending champions must learn from the mistakes that cost them top spot in Euro 2016 Group D as they lost 2-1 to Croatia in Bordeaux.
Sergio Ramos
Ramos also missed a second-half penalty as Spain must now face Italy in a repeat of the 2012 final in the last 16 in Paris on Monday and possibly Germany and France on route to the final. "Now we have to dance with the favourites, but to be champions you have to beat everyone," said Ramos.
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"We will concentrate on ourselves and think about the last 16. We need to turn the page, learn a lot of lessons from this, so that it doesn't happen to us again in the last 16."
Ivan Perisic struck a sensational winner three minutes from time as Croatia ended Spain's 14-game unbeaten run at the European Championship to top Group D.
Croatia's Ivan Perisic is ecstatic after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 match vs Spain in Bordeaux on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
Spain will now face Italy in the last 16 in Paris on Monday in a repeat of the 2012 final. Alvaro Morata's early strike got Spain off to a flying start, but, despite the absence of key man Luka Modric through injury, Croatia battled back to equalise before half time through Nikola Kalinic. Croatia meet one of the best third-placed sides in Lens on Saturday.
Morata level with Bale
Morata moved level with club teammate Gareth Bale on three goals in the fight for the golden boot by finishing off a slick Spanish move after seven minutes. David Silva's reverse pass picked out Cesc Fabregas's run and the Chelsea midfielder's cross was tapped into an empty net by Morata.
Spain were pegged back right on half time when Perisic's cross from the left was delightfully flicked home by Kalinic. Spain were then handed a chance to retake the lead when they were awarded a penalty.
Subasic pulled out a save off Ramos. Croatia took advantage to blow the tournament wide open as Perisic lashed home the winner in the 87 minute.
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