On this day 25 years ago, Ćiro Blažević first sat on the bench of the Croatia national football team and achieved a victory in Valencia, which resonated throughout the world. Croatia, then the 125th best team in the world, defeated Spain 2:0. The national team of Spain, at that time, held the seventh place on the FIFA ranking, reports Index.hr on March 23, 2019. 

Around 40,000 Spanish fans gathered at the nearby Mestalla stadium and expected a victory of their team against Croatia, who was just entering international football and was labeled as a complete unknown to the wider football public. Even more impressive was that Spain had a series of 20 consecutive victories.

The match in Valencia started perfectly for Croatia. Prosinečki pushed the ball from the center to the opponent's box and found the lone Šuker on the left, who struck from a poor first touch. Luckily, the ball came back to Prosinečki on the other side, who shot from 16 meters out and past the Spanish goalkeeper Zubizarreta for 1:0.

In the 51st minute, Croatia increased its lead. Mornar soared down the right side and crossed the ball in the middle where he found the head of Šuker who struck from seven meters. It should also be noted that Dražen Ladić defended the penalty of Aitor "Txiki" Begiristain Mujika, today's director of Manchester City, two minutes later. Pep Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City, also played in this game.

In just one month, Croatia jumped 22 places on the FIFA ranking, and in April 1994, shared the 103rd place in the world.

This is how the Croatia national team looked against Spain 25 years ago:

Dražen Ladić, Nikola Jerkan, Igor Štimac, Slaven Bilić, Janko Janković, Robert Prosinečki, Stipe Andrijašević, Aljoša Asanović, Robert Jarni, Alen Bokšić, Davor Šuker, Dubravko Pavličić, Ivica Mornar, Ante Miše, Goran Vlaović. Because of an injury, the legendary captain Zvonimir Boban could not play.

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January 17, 2019 - The Croatia handball team met Spain for the decisive game of Group B on Thursday evening, which ultimately decided the winner of their group. 

Along with Vedran Ćorluka and Danijel Subašić, Mario Mandžukić supported Croatia from the stands in their victory against Spain in Zagreb on Thursday. 

One day after Croatia achieved an incredible result against Spain in the second to last game of the Nations League group stage in Zagreb (3:2), the international media have shown disappointment in Spain, words of praise for Croatia's unexpected hero, and criticisms of a popular Croatian defender, reports Index.hr on November 16, 2018. 

November 15, 2018 - Croatia still has a shot in the UEFA Nations League after an incredible last minute win against Spain in Zagreb. 

There are no longer any tickets available for the highly anticipated UEFA Nations League match between Croatia and Spain on Thursday at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb. 

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has published the lineup of the Croatia national football team for the upcoming games against Spain and England in the UEFA Nations League. 

After England defeated Spain in Seville on Monday, all three teams in Croatia’s Nations League group remain in the fight for first place.

Croatia was humiliated by Spain in their first real test after becoming World Cup finalists. 

Croatia will fight in the new UEFA Nations League against Spain and England.