Croatia’s wing Ivan Perisic has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be forced to miss Monday’s European Championship 2020 final 16 match with Spain.
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The intervention struck twice in the group stage, including in the 3-1 victory against Scotland that sealed Croatia’s place in the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, this may be the last action he sees this summer as the Croatian Football Association has confirmed that Perisic must now spend ten days in isolation after testing positive for the virus on Saturday.
All other members of the squad and staff have tested negative and will therefore travel to Copenhagen to receive Spain.
Not only will Perisic miss that game, but provided Croatia advance, he would also be unavailable for the quarter-finals on July 2 and the semi-finals on July 6, which is the last day of his isolation period.
Modric? Perisic ⚽️
Scotland has a real mountain to climb now # ITVFootball # Euro2020 #CROSCO pic.twitter.com/HUdgh3sfvU
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 22, 2021
For Perisic to be able to play again this summer, Croatia must go all the way to the final. No pressure.
The 32-year-old has been one of his side’s most important players so far this summer. He started all three matches in the group stage and led by example, with two goals and an assist to fire Croatia to the 16-year-old.
Zlatko Dalic must now find a way to survive without the veteran wing. AC Milane’s Ante Rebic is a likely candidate to start, but Wolfsburg’s Josip Brekalo can also fill in on the left wing if needed.
Expect Rebic to fill in / Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images
Croatia actually beat Spain when these two sides last met in the Nations League in November 2018, with a late submission from Tin Jedvaj that sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory.
That victory came just two months after Spain beat Croatia in a 6-0 defeat, so it is safe to say that this can go both ways.
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