Line-ups: Croatia-Spain

Vicente del Bosque names the same Spain XI to play Croatia as in the previous two Euro 2016 Group D games.

That means David De Gea continues in goal behind a defence comprised of Juanfran, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba.

Sergio Busquets anchors the midfield with Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings and Alvaro Morata at centre-forward flanked by Nolito and David Silva.

It’s the third straight game for which Del Bosque has stuck with the same side, after going 52 outings without naming an unchanged team prior to the tournament.

La Roja are already through to the last 16 and would be confirmed in first place in the group with a third win in three games, while a draw would also be enough.

Croatia go into the third round of fixtures in second place though have been rumours the Croatian fans will attempt to disturb the game, as they did against the Czech Republic, in protest at the running of the Football Association in the country.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric misses out through injury but Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic continues, though there’s no starting call for Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic or Malaga forward Duje Cop.

Ante Cacic makes five changes, including the absent Modric, drafting in Tim Jedvaj, Sime Vrsaljko, Marko Rog, Marko Pjaca and Nikola Kalinic, Mario Mandzukic among those not named.

Croatia: Subasic; Srna, Corluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko; Badelj, Rog; Pjaca, Rakitic, Perisic; Kalinic

Spain: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas; Nolito, Morata, Silva

Referee: Kuipers [NED]

Tags Euro 2016 Spain
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