Simon Gleave
Head of sports analysis, Gracenote

Image source, Getty Images

Spain have ended up in the tougher half of the draw which has reduced their chance of winning the tournament from 10.8% to 7.6%.

They are favourites to progress from this match as they are ranked seventh in the world on the Gracenote World Football Ranking compared to Croatia's 21st.

Gracenote estimates Spain's chance of progress at 66% whereas Croatia, who have declined sharply since 2018, have a 34% chance of a quarter-final place.

Spain

At 18 years and 215 days, Pedri becomes the youngest ever player to start a knockout game in the European Championship, overtaking the record of Wayne Rooney (18 years and 244 days v Portugal in 2004).

Izzy Christiansen
England and Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

The way Spain play benefits Alvaro Morata. Spain have got a high ball recoveries in the final third because of their high press. So if they can do that, pressure the Croatians early and Morata can benefit from that, not even scoring early just getting a chance on target. That will lift his confidence and bring him into the game.

Morata's team-mates are so integral in this, they have to look after him. It's all about being a team. Fundamentally, no player should go through what he's going through. What better way to answer everything going on than putting a good performance for your country.

Spain striker Alvaro Morata has told Spanish radio that he and his family have been abused during Euro 2020. The 28-year-old Juventus player said he had received abuse on social media.

And he added that his wife and children were shouted at in the Spanish city of Seville.

Morata started all three group games and scored in the 1-1 draw with Poland but he has also missed several chances.

"People have been saying 'I hope your children die'. I'd like people to put themselves in my shoes and think what it's like to get threats to my family," he told the Cadena Cope station.

"My wife and children have come to the stadium in Seville with Morata on the back of their shirts and people have been shouting at them.

"It's complicated. I understand people booing me for missing chances but there's a limit."

Read more here.

There are just NINE games left after today. What are we going to do with ourselves?

This tournament has flown since Andrea Bocelli belted out Nessun Dorma in Rome on 11 June.

So far it has delivered 104 goals in 40 matches at a rate of 2.6 per game. There have been eight own goals, four penalty saves and four red cards - and loads of selfies.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Croatia assistant coach Drazen Ladic: "We have been forced to make some changes in our team. We were preparing for some options that are favoured by Spain.

"We also want to prevent the ball distribution to Sergio Busquets. That's why Ante Rebic is in – because of his strength in breaking down play."

Spain assistant coach Jesus Casas: "The changes are nothing to do with any physical problems, just re-touches.

"Up front, we want to take advantage of some things which Ferran Torres brings to the team.

"We want a good game of football and the pitch is the same quality for both teams."

Image source, EPA

Incredible scenes earlier as monkeys at Zagreb Zoo predicted a Spain victory over Croatia. It hasn't gone down well with the locals.

Gaizka Mendieta
Former Spain midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I remember at the beginning of the season Zinedine Zidane was being criticised for using Luka Modric at Real Madrid. He went on to be one of the best players for them and now he is showing with Croatia the leader that he is.

Modric started Euro 2020 playing a bit further back and had to do everything in midfield. Croatia realised this and have pushed him a bit further up, and you saw him score in the last game.

Last time out against Scotland, Luka Modric became the oldest player to score for Croatia at the European Championship (35 years & 286 days), while he also holds the record as the youngest goalscorer for his nation in the competition (22 years & 73 days versus Austria in 2008).

Should he score in this game (aged 35 years & 292 days), he would become the second-oldest player in European Championship history to score in consecutive appearances in the competition, after Cristiano Ronaldo.

Izzy Christiansen
England and Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is poised beautifully for a game that whoever dominates the midfield will win. There are world class players on display, Modric on one side and Koke, Busquets and Pedri in that midfield for Spain.

This is going to be fascinating to watch tactically to see where the space is and see how the two teams fare against each other.

Croatia

Croatia are led by a Real Madrid player. No Real Madrid player is in the Spain squad for Euro 2020.

Euro 2020's quarter-final line-up is beginning to take shape. Denmark or the Czech Republic will be in the semi-finals. World No 1 ranked Belgium against Italy is a BLOCKBUSTER.

FRIDAY

France/Switzerland v Croatia/Spain - St Petersburg 17:00 BST

Belgium v Italy - Munich 20:00

SATURDAY

Czech Republic v Denmark - Baku 17:00

Sweden/Ukraine v England/Germany - Rome 20:00

Croatia

How much will Croatia miss Ivan Perisic? He has scored two goals at Euro 2020 but misses out after testing positive for Covid-19.

It's a lovely sunny day in Copenhagen and some Croatia fans have been familiarising themselves with the local police. It is a party atmosphere in Denmark's capital. The beer has been flowing and supporters are in fine voice. I dread to think how much the bar bill is!

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Spain

It's incredible to think Aymeric Laporte was captain of France through to Under-21 level - and could play against them for Spain in the quarter-finals.

There's just two changes for Croatia.

Duje Caleta-Car and Ante Rebic replace Dejan Lovren and Ivan Perisic, who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Croatia XI: Livakovic, Gvardiol, Caleta-Car, Vida, Juranovic, Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric, Rebic, Petkovic, Vlasic.

Image source, BBC Sport

Spain also make two changes.

Jose Gaya replaces Jordi Alba at left-back, while Manchester City's Ferran Torres comes in for Gerard Moreno.

Spain XI: Simon, Azpilicueta, Busquets, Morata, Koke, Torres, Garcia, Gaya, Sarabia, Laporte, Pedri.

Image source, BBC Sport

A quarter-final tie against France or Switzerland - who play later today - is the prize for the winners at the Parken Stadium.

Croatia or Spain will not have long to prepare for that match. It takes place on Friday in St Petersburg at 17:00 BST.

Loud hailer. Tick.

Massive drum. Tick.

Freshly ironed red and white chequered shirt. Tick.

Croatia fans are UP for this!

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Twelve nations have fallen including holders Portugal. Twelve are left standing.

What surprises lie ahead on day 18 at Euro 2020?

World champions France are in action in Bucharest later but first it's three-time European champions Spain against Croatia in Copenhagen.

17:00 BST Croatia v Spain

20:00 BST France v Switzerland