Casillas relieved after tense win

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas admitted his side's late winner against Croatia felt like "a weight off our shoulders" as they qualified for the European Championship quarter-finals.

The two teams - along with Group C rivals Italy, who were facing the Republic of Ireland in Poznan at the same time - went into the closing minutes of Monday night's action with their progression still in the balance.

With the game in Gdansk goalless, a Croatia winner would have eliminated Spain. But Jesus Navas' simple finish settled Spanish nerves before Mario Balotelli secured Italy a 2-0 success. Casillas said: "I think it was a very tense match, but that is normal because it was important to get through to the next round."

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