Italian fears that they would fall victim to a biscotto — or a biscuit — stitch up in Group C’s other game also failed to materialise as holders Spain defeated Croatia 1-0 to top the group and leave the Croatians to take an early flight home.

Goals by Antonio Cassano and substitute Mario Balotelli were on target for the Azzurri, who would have crashed out of the competition had Spain and Croatia drawn their final match 1-1, sending both of them through instead.