Euro 2020: Croatia to miss star forward against Spain clash after positive test
Croatia will be without Ivan Perisic in their last 16 showdown against Spain in the European Championship on Monday, after the 32-year-old winger tested positive for Covid-19, the team said on Saturday.
“Medical staff isolated Ivan from the other members of the national team and immediately and thoroughly informed competent epidemiological authorities about the situation,” Croatia said in a statement.
“Perisic will spend 10 days in self-isolation and during that period will not participate at the matches of the Croatian national team.”
All other players and staff tested negative, the team added.
The loss of Perisic is a major blow for World Cup runners-up Croatia as they look to get past a Spain team that hit its stride with a 5-0 win over Slovakia.
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Perisic’s stunning second half equaliser against Czech Republic secured a 1-1 draw to save Croatia’s tournament during the group phase.
He also set up a goal and scored one himself late in the 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday to ensure Zlatko Dalic’s side reached the knockout phase.
Croatia, quarterfinalists in 1996 and 2008, play Spain at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium on Monday as they look to reach the last eight for the third time.