Croatia vs. Spain Preview and Predictions

Last Updated on July 17, 2024 9:11 am by Gambyl Nation Editorial Team

Croatia and Spain have played out many exciting clashes over the years, and now they meet for the first time in a knockout stage of the tournament at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium in the Round of 16 of UEFA EURO 2020 on Monday, June 28 at 11:00 E.T. Both teams advanced to the knockout stage with impressive successes on Matchday 3, with Croatia claiming second place in Group D after defeating Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow, while Spain matched their 0-5 win over Slovakia in Seville for the largest margin of victory at a EURO final, with the winner of this tie taking on either France or Switzerland in the first quarterfinal in St. Petersburg on July 2. This match will be broadcast by DIRECTV Sports at 11:00 E.T.

Five important facts to review before the round of 16 matches between Croatia vs. Spain: 

1. Croatia suffered the heaviest defeat in its history on September 11, 2018, falling 6-0 to Spain in the UEFA Nations League. 

2. This is Croatia’s sixth EURO finals. It has only missed one since its independence (UEFA EURO 2000) and this is its fifth consecutive finals. 

3. This is Spain’s seventh consecutive EURO. They were champions in 1964 and repeated their successes in 2008 and 2012 to become the first team to win the Henri Delaunay trophy. 

4. Croatia has played only two previous matches at the Parken Stadium, both against Denmark. 

5. Spain has failed to reach the quarterfinals in each of its last three major tournaments. 

Now let’s review the current affairs of both teams ahead of the EURO 2020 round of 16 clashes: 

Spain: Spain’s road to this point has been similar. Creativity and goalscoring seemed to be a problem in the draws against Sweden and Poland, but Luis Enrique’s side regained form by equaling the largest margin of goals in a EURO finals match win, beating Slovakia 5-0 to qualify. In doing so, they remain undefeated, just as they did on the three occasions they lifted the trophy, plus Spain clearly has a score to settle with the Croatian side, who, after that duel in 2016, also knocked the Spaniards out of the first Nations League finals by beating the Spaniards 3-2 in the last meeting between the two teams (in between Spain won 6-0 and none of the scorers in the last two meetings are with Spain at EURO 2020). Undoubtedly, after recovering some of their self-esteem against Slovakia, especially in front of goal, Croatia will be a tough test that knows how to play the Spaniards. 

Croatia: It’s an old saying that the best teams grow as a tournament progresses, and Croatia will be hoping that holds true as they head to Copenhagen. Zlatko Dalić’s side barely created any danger in the loss to England in their group stage opener, but they came alive in the second half of a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic and then advanced to the round of 16 against Scotland. However, history is against them, as they have been eliminated in all three previous knockouts they have played in the EURO, also, the fans remember very well that night in Bordeaux at EURO 2016, when Croatia defeated Spain 1-2 and won their group, it is also worth noting that many things have changed since then, but Luka Modrić is still the leader of the team, and there is a sense that he now goes into every game knowing that it could be his last for the country he has served so honorably. To this point, Croatia has proven time and time again that it can rub shoulders with the best. 

Betting line: 

Spain: 41.2% (-185) – Goals: 1.55 – Best O/U: o2½+102 

Croatia: 34.1% (+462) – Goals: 1.32 – Best O/U: u2½-142 

Draw: 24.7% (+263)