Croatia's Modric likely to miss Spain clash

Fans hoping to see one of La Liga's craftiest midfielders lock horns with a side blessed with talents of his ilk will be left wanting, as Croatian playmaker Luka Modric is likely to miss Tuesday's Group D closer against Spain.

Croatia's team doctor Boris Nemec spoke to the media after Friday's disheartening draw with the Czech Republic and was rather candid in assessing the status of the Real Madrid's midfielder.

"Modric's groin is strained and swollen," Nemec said of the player who limped off in Saint-Etienne.

The former Tottenham player came off in the 62nd minute for Mateo Kovacic.

"He will train at less than full intensity in the next few days and is very unlikely to be available for the Spain match."

Croatia wasted a two-goal advantage and advancement to the knockout stage after surrendering late to the Czechs, making Tuesday's tilt in Bordeaux against the twice-defending Euro champ that much more important.

Spain tops the group on six points and has already booked a spot in the final 16 while Croatia needs just a point to secure second place.

While the odds are in favour of Ante Cacic's lot, if the Czechs beat a dispirited Turkey side 1-0 and the Croats lose by the same score, both sides will be tied on the first three tiebreakers (head-to-head, goal differential, total goals scored).

Should the stars align in the favour of the convoluted, second place in Group F will be decided by UEFA's fair play conduct metric, further highlighting the impact of Modric's likely absence.

Second among active Croatian internationals with 92 caps, an obscene 40 appearances behind all-time leader Darijo Srna, Modric's absence will likely see the Real Madrid teammate Kovacic get the start.