Euro 2016: Croatia shock Spain to top Group D; Germany, Poland win

Mario Gomez's first half goal for Germany propelled the nation to top Group C. Northern Ireland's loss meant they finished on three points and had to wait for other results to know their fate in the tournament. After Gomez scored the goal, Northern Ireland were concerned with both finding an equaliser and not letting in anymore goals.

Poland, with their 1-0 win, meant they finished second to Germany only on goal difference. Poland could have scored multiple goals in the opening fifteen minutes but the goal wasn't to come until subsitute Blaszczykowski scored in the second half. Ukraine, having already been eliminated, could have struck back on a couple of occassions but Poland never had anything to worry about on the night.

The two other games on the night were from Group D. Croatia took on Spain and Czech Republic took on Turkey.

Let's start with Czech-Turkey. Turkey lost both their earlier matches and Czech Republic had one point from their first two matches. Both teams, could at best, finish third. It was Turkey, who presured from the start, who came out on top, winning 2-0 and finished third in the group. The win for Turkey meant that Northern Ireland went through as one of the four best third-placed teams.

It was the games other match, Croatia vs Spain, that might just turn out to be the match of the tournament, even if Spain end up winning the whole tournament. It started out as it was expected to. Holders Spain took the lead in the 7th minute. Morata scored the opening goal and everything looked according to the script. Just before the break though, Croatia were rewarded for their efforts when Kalinic flicked the ball inside the near post for the equaliser.

The second half was a nervy affair as both pressed for that elusive goal. That goal, looked like it would come in the 70th minute. Silva was clipped in the box by Sime Vrsaljko and a penalty was awarded. It may have been debatable as some say. Ramos though, hit the penalty too close to keeper for an easy save.

Croatia made the Spanish players play as Perisic scored in the 87th minute to give Spain their first defeat at the European Championships in 12 years. There were a few chances for Spain to equalise in the dying minute of the game, but it wasn't to be. This result means that Spain will face Italy in the round of 16 at the Stade de Franc. Croatia will face off against either Slovakia or the third-place team from Group E/F.

The next fixtures are as follows:

• Hungary vs Portugal (9:30 PM IST)
• Iceland vs Austria (9:30 PM IST)