Italian press fears Spain-Croatia 'stitch-up'

Italy's press fear that Spain and Croatia will conspire to draw their final Group C match, recalling a similar situation eight years ago that saw the Azzurri eliminated from the competition.

"The return of nightmare scheming," the Gazzetta dello sport said in its headline. "With 2-2 we're out," it said.

Italy are two points behind Spain and Croatia but if they win their final match against Ireland and the other game ends in a draw, three teams will finish on five points.

Qualification would then be decided by their head-to-head meetings.

Italy have drawn both their games so far 1-1, so a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia would give them both more goals than Italy and would see the Azzurri eliminated.