SCrap: Spain defender Sergio Ramos (left) gets to grips with with Croatia playmaker Luka Modric

Not last night. Spain pieced together a patchwork performance and were grateful that their normally under-worked captain was sharp. Casillas made the decisive save in the 59th minute to thwart Ivan Rakitic but the build-up to the chance will offer hope to those, England or not, who meet Spain next.

No team can lose Carles Puyol and not feel the effect, even Spain. Sergio Ramos has become Gerard Pique’s partner when he usually plays at full back for Real Madrid. In the first half Ramos was lucky to get away with one reckless lunge on Mandzukic on the edge of the Spain box and it was a combination of his rashness and Modric’s footwork that created the opportunity for Rakitic.

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