Spain breezed their way to the Euro 2024 finals by topping Group A in undefeated fashion with seven wins along the way.
The Furia Roja bested runners-up Scotland, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus.
How France can win Euro 2024
Croatia, on the other hand, finished second in Group D behind leaders Turkey.
The Croats overcame Wales, Armenia and Latvia as they won five out of eight matches, of which they lost two.
Team News
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente may have to wait on Barcelona star Pedri's fitness as he struggled with injury throughout the season.
De La Fuente, though, has a number of Premier League stars to choose from, such as Brentford's David Raya who was on loan at Arsenal, Chelsea's Marc Cucurella and Manchester City's Rodri.
The Furia Roja will also get to call upon Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon, his team-mate Nico Williams, Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata, Barcelona's Ferran Torres, his team-mate Lamine Yamal and RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, on the other hand, will have departed Tottenham star Ivan Perisic back in action after he spent last season on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Dalic will also have Fenerbahce's Dominik Livakovic, City's Josko Gvardiol, his team-mate Mateo Kovacic and of course Real Madrid legend Luka Modric available.
Ones to watch
Spain will need Rodri to emulate his Manchester City form during Euro 2024.
The midfield maestro stood out for City once more and helped them win a record fourth successive Premier League title.
The 27-year-old amassed nine goals and 14 assists in 50 appearances with the Citizens, who only lost one game within 90 minutes all season with the Spaniard in their starting line-up.
Croatia will look up to their national hero Luka Modric who has been instrumental during the last two World Cup campaigns.
Real Madrid legend Modric is now 38 years old but set for a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu and will be donning his country's armband to add to his 175 caps.
4
4
Head-to-Head
Spain and Croatia have faced off a total of 10 times across all competitions.
The Spaniards have won a majority of six games, compared to the Croats' three victories.
In fact, the Furia Roja have won six of their last nine matches, of which they lost two.
The two sides have met three times in the Euros with Spain winning twice in 2012 and 2020, while Croatia emerged victorious in 2016.
SunSport Prediction
Spain pose as the favourites against Croatia's ageing golden generation but not by much. This could be a close one between the two tournament favourites.
Prediction: 1-0
PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!
The best fantasy football game for this summer's tournament.
Good afternoon and welcome to what has got to be the best clash of the 2024 European Championships so far, Spain vs Croatia!
The first game in the 'group of death' which also includes Italy and Albania who play later on.
You have to imagine the winner of this tie will be the pacesetter in the group, so there is plenty to play for.
Croatia have been a huge success story in recent years, but with an ageing squad this tournament will either reveal a few chinks in their armour, or show that they have aged like fine wines.
As for Spain, they have been far from the side they were in the 2008 and 2012 championships, when they won it back to back, but have got an exciting crop of young players, and an experienced number nine too.
It's going to be an absolute belter of a game, so stay with us for full coverage of it!
