Late Jesus Navas Goal Sees Spain Through to Quarterfinals

La Roja walked on pitch knowing that their match – their final group match – against Croatia was a critical one, that their spot was not guaranteed in the quarterfinals... as many believed.  A defeat to Croatia paired with an Italian victory would send the current European and World Cup Champions packing.

It was evident early in the match that the Croatian side came to play and to play hard.  They challenged every ball and made La Roja work overtime to come out on top in the final third.  Barcelona man Andrés Iniesta may have had Spain's best opportunity, breaking free down the left, but the midfielder was unable to put the ball past Stipe  Pletikosa.

Sergio Ramos was a lucky, lucky man to avoid a "daily yellow" with that dangerous tackle on the edge of the box on Mandzukic.  The challenge could have easily resulted in a penalty in favor of Croatia, but referee Wolfgang Stark deemed it legitimate.

 

In the second half, with news of Italy leading Ireland in Poznan, La Roja knew that a goal for Croatia would have them on the next plane home.  The men played a cautious game at first but soon eased their way through the Croatian side.  The Croatians were fully aware that a scoreless draw would eliminate them with an Italian victory and became much more aggressive, beginning to take chances.

Fernando Torres was brought off pitch in the second and replaced by who would be Spain's savior Jesús Navas.  Many spectators questioned Vicente del Bosque's decision to bring on Navas instead of Cesc Fabregas or Fernando Llorente, myself included, but the Sevillan's pace on pitch proved to be a pain to the Croatian side. 

It was not to say that Croatia remained silent.  Ivan Rakitic had an opportunity to put his side ahead when Luka Modric played him the ball with a mouth-watering pass.  However, Iker Casillas would not be San Iker – or arguably the world's best goalkeeper – if he did not put on the breaks with a superb reaction save.  Nevertheless, the chance boosted Croatian confidence... and unintentionally awakened the sleeping giant within Spain.

La Roja persisted and their persistence finally paid off.  Jesus Navas, after a sequence of events, found himself in front of an empty goal and, essentially, walked the ball right in, putting Spain ahead 1-0 at the 88' minute mark.

Spain will play France this Saturday in the quarterfinals.  Until then, ¡Vamos, España!

written by Gail Hidalgo