How Croatia could line up against Spain

The Chequered Ones head coach lost Josko Gvardiol and Marko Livaja before their semi-final with the Netherlands, where Croatia turned up the heat in extra time to prevail 4-2 at De Kuip.

Only the injured Gvardiol would have been in contention for a start here, and with the RB Leipzig man out of contention, Josip Sutalo and 101-cap skipper Domagoj Vida ought to form the centre-back partnership in front of number one Dominik Livakovic.

On the back of his four penalty-shootout saves at the 2022 World Cup, the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper's prowess from 12 yards may very well be needed if 120 minutes cannot separate the two sides on Sunday.

Despite the presence of Borna Sosa, Ivan Perisic will likely continue as an out-and-out left-back, while Josip Juranovic will expect to keep Josip Stanisic at bay on the opposite side.

Luka Modric produced a man-of-the-match display in the semi-final and should be good to go again here - despite his advancing years - as Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic complete the recognisable midfield trident.

Mario Pasalic and Luka Ivanusec have surely done enough to start in the wide areas, but despite scoring a stunning long-range effort and winning an extra-time penalty, Bruno Petkovic should be kept in reserve as Andrej Kramaric spearheads the attack.

Croatia possible starting lineup: Livakovic; Juranovic, Vida, Sutalo, Perisic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Ivanusec