Packing punch: Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas (left) clears the ball as Vedran Corluka (top) closes in

‘It was a clear chance for Rakitic but it’s not easy against Casillas,’ said Bilic. ‘He is probably the best keeper in the last 10 years.’

Bilic’s team now sensed they could nick the goal that might take them through and inflict upon Spain a first defeat in two years. Substitute Ivan Perisic worried Casillas into another save after more good work by Mandzukic and Del Bosque introduced Navas and Fabregas to freshen the tempo.

Bilic said ‘a big thank you’ as he departs after six years in the job.

Del Bosque goes on. Ultimately his substitutions turned out to have made the difference but there will now be a debate as to what line-up Del Bosque fields in Ukraine four days from now.

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