Bordeaux: Croatia suffered a huge blow for their clash to decide Euro 2016 Group D top spot against defending champions Spain as Real Madrid star Luka Modric withdrew injured.
Modric limped off with a muscle problem during the Croats 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Friday and has not been risked. Croatia's place in the last 16 was assured following Germany's 1-0 win over Northern Ireland earlier on Tuesday.
Ivan Rakitic lines up in the Croatian midfield to face a number of his Barcelona teammates, whilst Nikola Kalinic replaces Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic up front among five changes.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque kept faith with the same team that won their opening two games against the Czechs and Turkey despite captain Sergio Ramos being just one booking away from missing the last 16.
The winner of the group faces a third-placed team in Lens on Saturday. The runner-up takes on the unbeaten Italy in Paris on Monday.
Spain (4-3-3)
David de Gea; Juanfran, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos (captain), Jordi Alba; Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta; David Silva, Alvaro Morata, Nolito
Coach: Vicente del Bosque (ESP)
Croatia (4-2-3-1)
Danijel Subasic; Darijo Srna (captain), Vedran Corluka, Tin Jedvaj, Sime Vrsaljko; Milan Badelj, Marko Rog; Marko Pjaca, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic; Nikola Kalinic
Coach: Ante Cacic (CRO)
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED)
AFP
