MILAN – Ivan Perisic was Croatia’s hero on Tuesday evening after they defeated reigning champions Spain 2-1 to secure first place in Group D.
Alvaro Morata gave Spain the lead in the seventh minute, but Croatia equalised on 45 minutes after Nikola Kalinic tapped home Perisic’s cross. It looked to be heading for a draw, but with the minutes ticking away Perisic fired a low strike past David De Gea to seal a 2-1 win.
Perisic was taken off in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic was an unused substitute.
