Golden chance: Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas (centre) saves from Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic (left)

On many such moves, the linesman’s flag goes up and the whistle blows. But not now. Iniesta controlled the ball with his shoulder or upper arm — but again there was no whistle. He squared the ball to Navas and, with Stipe Pletikosa helpless, Navas belted the ball in.

UEFA were probably relieved. Otherwise they would have had to explain their byzantine rules, but as it is Spain win Group C and Italy are runners-up. Croatia are out and manager Slaven Bilic has picked his national team for the last time. The manager, who chose not to lambast the German referee Wolfgang Stark, can be proud of his players. Luka Modric stood out — ‘a hero’ Bilic called him. So did Mario Mandzukic, and it is a mark of how Croatia played that Iker Casillas was Spain’s most prominent performer for once. Casillas is his country’s captain but tends to be overlooked due to the tapestry that frequently is unfolded in front of him.

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