Ivan Perisic scored a late winner to help Croatia to finish top of Group D ©Getty Images

Spain will face Italy last 16 of the 2016 UEFA European Championships after the defending champions fell to a late defeat against Croatia to finish as runners-up in Group D at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

Both teams had headed into their final group stage match assured of qualification to the knock-out phase, but the Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque opted for a full strength team to secure top spot in the standings.

The selection appeared to be paying dividends for the 2008 and 2012 champions, when striker Alvaro Morata opened the scoring from close range, after Cesc Fabregas had chipped Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Despite missing their talisman Luka Modric through injury, Croatia drew level on the stroke of half-time when Nikola Kalinic scored from a Ivan Perisic cross, shortly after Ivan Rakitic had struck the crossbar.

Spain were controversially given a chance to restore their lead in the second half with Sime Vrsaljko adjudged to have brought down David Silva in the box, only for Sergio Ramos to see his penalty saved.

An error from David De Gea allowed Perisic to score the winner for Croatia with three minutes left, after his low shot beat the goalkeeper at the near post.

Having suffered their first defeat at the European Championships since 2004, the Spanish team ended second in the group and will now take on Group E winners Italy, who were beaten by Spain in the 2012 final.

Croatia will now face one of the best third place teams.

Mario Gomez scored as Germany topped their group, while Northern Ireland advanced as a best third place team
Mario Gomez scored as Germany topped their group, while Northern Ireland advanced as a best third place team ©Getty Images

Turkey were able to boost their slim hopes of reaching the last 16 by beating the Czech Republic to finish third in Group D.

Striker Burak Yilmaz gave the Turkish team an early lead in the tie from close range, before a powerful finish from Ozan Tufan secured the 2-0 win in the second half.

The result guaranteed Northern Ireland a spot in the knock-out phase of the tournament as one of the top third place nations, despite them falling to a 1-0 loss to Group C winners Germany.

Mario Gomez' solitary strike after 30 minutes of the tie proved enough for the world champions to claim the victory, with Northern Ireland having their goalkeeper Michael McGovern to thank for several impressive saves, while Thomas Muller also struck the bar for Germany.

Poland ended second in the group on goal difference, after Jakub Blaszczykowski scored a first half goal to give them a 1-0 victory over already eliminated Ukraine.

Today’s results also confirmed Slovakia’s place in the last 16, having finished third in Group B behind Wales and England.