Kranjcar: We can beat ‘beautiful’ footballers

Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar rates Spain as possibly the most beautiful football team in history; so it takes a special kind of self-confidence to believe his side can beat them today to reach the quarter-finals.

The Croats go into the final game of Group C knowing they have to win to be certain of going through unless Italy fail to beat Ireland; and to the delight of conspiracy theorists a 2-2 draw would also be enough even if Italy win.

But either way it’s a big ask against a Spanish side that appeared to move up a gear in their convincing victory over Ireland, which leaves them top of the group on goal difference.