Croatia 3 Spain 2: England face Uefa Nations League decider with Croatia after Tin Jedvaj’s dramatic double kills off Spaniards
Bayer Leverkusen defender was the surprise hero as he slammed in a stoppage-time winner - turning Sunday's Wembley tie into a winner-takes-all showdown
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TIN JEDVAJ’S last-gasp winner sparked a World Cup homecoming party - and set up a winner-takes all Wembley showdown.
Jedvaj’s dramatic strike means England could get promoted with victory on Sunday OR relegated to League B.
This was the first time home fans had seen Luka Modric and Co since finishing runners-up to France in Russia - and they had another night to remember.
Andrej Kramaric and Jedvaj’s first strike put them ahead twice but they were pegged back by Dani Ceballos and Sergio Ramos’ penalty.
Zlatko Dalic’s side will be bang up for it this weekend after this win - and go into Sunday with real momentum.
They made it a fond farewell win for Vedran Corluka, Mario Mandzukic and Danijel Subasic after their distinguished international careers.
Unlike Wayne Rooney at Wembley, there was no farewell cap for the long-serving trio who played their part over the summer.
But they were in the stands at Maksimir Stadium and presented with shirts before kick-off.
On the pitch, Ivan Perisic stood out in the first half and gave more evidence of what Manchester United were missing when they failed to meet his asking price two summers ago.
He cut inside and hit David De Gea’s post with his best opportunity, while Modric and Ivan Rakitic pulled the strings in central midfield.
Croatia took the lead nine minutes into the second half when Kramaric latched into a mistake by Sergi Roberto, who tried to pass the ball into midfield.
Perisic intercepted and cushioned a header for ex-Leicester striker Kramaric to finish neatly past De Gea.
Spain roared back within a couple of minutes with a slick move that Ceballos started with a back-flick.
He also finished it off after swapping passes with Rodrigo and Isco, with the home crowd slienced.
Modric set up Jedvaj’s first goal with a touch of class to move around Jordi Alba before curling to the far post where his team-mate headed home.
But the crowd were quietened again when Sime Vrsaljko handballed and Ramos kept his cool from the spot.
The final twist came from Bayer Leverkusen star Jedvaj, who started the move with a cross that was recovered by Perisic.
Sub Josip Brekalo had his shot saved by De Gea but Jedvaj rammed home the rebound.
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