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I'm ashamed to admit it, but in the past I have resorted to shouting 'pass it' in five-a-side when an opponent has the ball in a cowardly ploy for them to unwittingly give up possession. 

Ivan Rakitic might be tempted to do likewise tonight.

Spain have rarely been wasteful on the ball but Rakitic hopes he could benefit from a momentary lapse from Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta tonight.

"Maybe they'll get confused," he said. "Hopefully they pass me an assist."

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Croatia can count themselves unlucky not to be going into this game knowing a top-two finish was already assured after throwing away victory in their last game.

Against the Czech Republic in their last game, they were cruising 2-0 until Luka Modric went off injured. disrupting their momentum.

The Czechs pulled one back and Croatia's concentration then crumbled completely after several of their fans threw flares onto the pitch, causing a five-minute stoppage. Once play got back under way, the Czechs equalised.

Croatia boss Ante Cacic was adamant trouble off the pitch contributed to their collapse, saying: "We suffered a complete meltdown on the pitch because of a handful of irresponsible individuals and if the game had gone on for any longer, we might have lost it."

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Best player at the tournament so far? Has to be Andres Iniesta for me.

The Barcelona captain has pulled the strings for Spain in midfield both against the Czech Republic and Turkey. At 32, he is playing as well as he ever has, and shows no signs of slowing down. So how does he do it?

"For a midfielder like me, the most important thing has been, is and will be to think fast," he said. "Certain things occur automatically, but to think fast is the only secret."

I wish my wife applied the same thinking when choosing a meal at a restaurant.

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Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea set a new international record last Friday.

His clean sheet against Turkey was his fifth in a row for Spain, meaning he has not conceded in 450 minutes.

That broke World Cup winner Gordon Banks' record set back in 1966 as he kept a clean for 442 minutes in total before conceding before the end of England’s 2-1 semi-final win over Portugal at that year's World Cup.

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The Czech Republic make four changes as Arsenal man Tomas Rosicky misses out. Is this the end of his international career?

In come Daniel Pudil of Sheffield Wednesday, David Pavelka, Borek Dockal and Tomas Necid - who scored a late penalty against Croatia.

Czech Republic: Cech, Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Pudil, Pavelka, Darida, Plasil, Dockal, Necid, Krejci. Subs: Vaclik, Kadlec, Gebre Selassie, Limbersky, Rosicky, Skoda, Kolar, Suchy, Sural, Skalak, Lafata, Koubek.

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Turkey make three changes as new Borussia Dortmund signing Emre Mor starts. Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan keeps his place despite coming under heavy criticism against Spain.

Turkey: Babacan, Gonul, Topal, Balta, Koybasi, Mor, Tufan, Inan, Sen, Turan, Yilmaz. Subs: Kivrak, Kaya, Calik, Sahin, Calhanoglu, Tosun, Sahan, Ozyakup, Erkin, Malli, Ozbayrakli, Tekin.

Sahil Oberoi: Definition of winners mentality? #ESP, external already qualified and still fielding their strongest XI. Are you watching Roy?  

Greg Bossick: Really tired of the complaints about 24-team format #bbceuro2016, external. You don't want eight 3-team groups like CONCACAF champs lge, believe me.  

Si: If Turkey and the Czechs draw and if Ireland beat Italy... Both Ireland teams can go through!  

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Wonder what England fans make of Vicente del Bosque's decision to stick rather twist, in light of Roy Hodgson's decision to rest players yesterday...

You can listen to commentary on tonight's games on BBC Radio 5 live.

Croatia are missing some big names tonight, chiefly Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic. Both have been struggling with injury.

Also out of the first XI are Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic and Marcelo Brozovic.

Croatia XI: Subasic; Vrsaljko, Corluka, Jedvaj, Srna; Rakitić, Rog, Badelj, Pjaca, Perisic; Kalinic.  

Spain need a result to finish top of the group, so boss Vicente del Bosque opts to make no changes. 

Spain XI: De Gea, Juanfran, Ramos, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas, Silva, Nolito, Morata  

So here's the lay of the land with regards to Group D, and who can do what.

Spain are through but will finish second if they are beaten by Croatia, who are definitely through to the last 16. Germany's defeat of Northern Ireland earlier means that, at the very least, Croatia will progress as the best third-place side.

Should Croatia lose, the Czech Republic will finish level with them on four points if they beat Turkey, with goal difference or disciplinary records likely to decide who takes second spot. Turkey will finish third if they win.

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Northern Ireland may have missed out on automatic qualification for the knockout rounds via a top-two finish after losing 1-0 to Germany, but they still have a chance as one of the best third-placed teams.

If the Czech Republic fail to beat Turkey tonight then, by my calculations, that means Northern Ireland will progress.

Northern Ireland fans, get your Burak Yilmaz shirts on. You'll be urging him on to score tonight.

Another day, another couple of teams are through to the last 16 in France.

Germany, already assured of progressing from Group C, have finished as winners of the group after beating Northern Ireland, while Poland clinch the second automatic progression spot after edging Ukraine 1-0.

That defeat doesn't mean it's over for Northern Ireland just yet, though, as Turkey could give them a helping hand...

What's the easiest job in the world?

Is it...managing Barcelona? (Sorry, Luis)

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Is it...professional sleeper? (yes, such a profession does exist)

Or maybe it is keeping goal for Spain at a European Championships?

It's been 690 minutes since their defence was last breached, Italy's Antonio Di Natale scoring against them in the group stages of Euro 2012.

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Winners of the last two Euros, Spain are increasingly looking like the team to beat at this year's tournament. 

Will they enhance those credentials with another win today?

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