Champions top group but fail to impress

Spain had some anxious moments, but, in the end, their qualification was rarely in doubt.

They topped Group C having conceded one goal in three games, while scoring six, dominating each of their three games in terms of passing and possession statistics. But they are certainly not the vibrant, seemingly unstoppable force of four years ago.

The doubt, as so often, is their cutting edge. Arsene Wenger spoke of Barcelona and their “sterile domination” and to an extent Spain were content last night to pursue exactly that policy. A draw was all they needed to progress and, essentially, if they could keep the ball away from Croatia, that was what they would achieve.