Spain spent most of the first half dominating possession as well as getting an early goal, but a late side-footed finish from Nikola Kalinic means that Spain and Croatia will begin the second half leveled at 1.
Croatia, who’s matchup with the defending champions has been overshadowed by rumors of crowd trouble, had trouble getting much going until right before halftime. Ivan Perisic was the supplier instead of the goal scorer on this occasion when he supplied a low and hard cross to the front of the net which found Kalinic. There was still a lot to do when the ball arrived and Kalinic positioned himself for a very difficult finish. He leaped and side-footed the ball past David De Gea.