Spain oust Croatia to reach Euro last eight

GDANSK, Poland (AFP) –

Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas reacts after scoring during the Euro 2012 football championships match Croatia vs Spain at the Gdansk Arena. Defending champions Spain left it late before ousting Croatia 1-0 in Gdansk on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as they won Group C.

Defending champions Spain left it late before ousting Croatia 1-0 in Gdansk on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as they won Group C.

After a tight encounter which rarely hit the heights Jesus Navas bundled in a close-range winner in the 87th minute to send the World Cup winners through with seven points ahead of Italy, who beat Ireland 2-0 to clinch second place on five points.

Croatia finished on four with Ireland pointless.

The Croatians could have qualified as group winners themselves but Navas’ late contribution left them high and dry.

The Croatians gave as good as they got in the opening stages and could have had a penalty after Sergio Ramos‘s tackle on Mario Mandzukic, left the Croatian striker and scorer of three goals hobbling.

Spain were showing little in attack save for a pair of David Silva efforts dealt with smartly by Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa, who then distinguished himself in the second period with further stops from Navas and Andres Iniesta.