Euro2012: Spain & Italy qualify for quarterfinals, unlucky Croatia go home

The 2012 European Championships continued for the Group C teams tonight with their third and final round group matches in the Polish cities of Gdansk and Poznan. Defending champions Spain overcame some anxious moments before winning against Croatia, while Italy follow them into the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win against Ireland


GROUP C

Croatia 0-1 (0-0) Spain
Goals: 0-1 Jesús Navas (88')

Defending champions Spain left it late to beat Croatia by a lone goal to top Group C, while the good Croats are out of the competition. A Jesus Navas strike just two minutes from time sealed the victory for the Spaniards.

Both teams knew that a win would see them through and a draw would most likely only see Spain through with a better goal difference as Italy was likely to beat Ireland. Both sides took a cautious approach with Spain playing its usual possession football, while Croatia relied on counter-attacks.

With Italy leading at the break, Croatia became more adventurous and had their best chance through a Ivan Rakitić header which was blocked by Iker Casillas. Spain looked vulnerable at this point in time and Croatia put more men forward knowing only a win would keep them in the tournament. But with time running out Spain got the knockout punch in the 88th minute when Cesc Fàbregas chipped through for the onrushing Andres Iniesta to run clear and, spotting team-mate Navas alongside him, he played a square pass for the substitute to score and finish off the match.


Italy 2-0 (1-0) Ireland
Goals: 1-0 Antonio Cassano (35'), 2-0 Mario Balotelli (90')

Italy won 2-0 against a fighting Ireland to earn a place in the quarterfinals through goals from striker Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli.

The Irish had the better start into the game, but they couldn't use their chances as Italy looked nervous early-on. The Azzuri needed time to settle down but slowly found their ground but on two occasions Irish defender Sean St Ledger denied them the lead. But in the 35th minute Antonio Cassano would put in a Andrea Pirlo corner across the line with Shay Given getting a touch to the ball, which goes over the line before Damian Duff shots it out.

Italy with the lead looked better, but the Irish would go down without a fight but upfront they once more looked not dangerous enough to challenge their group opponents. Substitute Mario Balotelli acrobatically put in Alessandro Diamanti's corner in the 90th minute to seal a 2-0 victory for Italy.