The clash marks the fourth time the Croatia and Spain have met at the Euros.
The Spaniards, looking for a record fourth Euro crown, struck twice in three minutes, with Fabian Ruiz setting up Alvaro Morata in the 29th and firing in himself a little later.
"What I've seen so far, when you take a look at their selection of players, their quality, skills and value, then it is indeed terrifying."
Spain's 'vertical football' too much for ageing Croatia
Like a medieval army picking an elevated spot to engage in battle, Albania were happy to concede territory up the field in favour of packing the final third, safe in the knowledge that Croatia would not hurt them.
IMAGES from the Euro 2024 Group B match between Croatia and Albania at Hamburg Volksparkstadion, in Hamburg, Germany, on Wednesday.
Croatia thrives on being considered underdogs and warned that the 2018 World Cup runners-up have what it takes to reach the final again.
All other players and staff tested negative
Croatia beat Brazil in the quarter-finals, but for Dalic, Saturday's bronze medal game was the highlight of their tournament.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic admitted his team rode their luck against Belgium but said he was pleased with the way they controlled the match for large stretches.
Croatia and Morocco will face off in Qatar for a second time after playing out a 0-0 draw in their group opener
Ivan Rakitic an integral part of the Croatia side who reached the World Cup final in Russia before losing 4-2 to France.
"Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatia midfield in history. I don't think it can be repeated. When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank," the defender said.
'We had a fantastic goalkeeper today, Livakovic, he was great, he was insurmountable, he defended the penalties in a very strong, stable manner.'
They also topped their Nations League group ahead of World Cup holders France, Denmark and Austria, and head into the tournament on the back of a winning streak that culminated in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up friendly.
Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and some 12 million in its fan zones for outdoor viewing, including on a long stretch of turf laid out in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
Asked to rate Croatia's success in the past four years, Dalic said the 2018 semi-final win over England was so far their biggest match.
Croatia achieved their best-ever result in the tournament in losing Sunday's match to France, surpassing the third place finish of 1998.
Neymar will have extra motivation against Croatia, as he is one goal away from equalling Pele's record
Modric was unable to dictate play as much as he normally would
The comparison with Maradona for the title of the greatest Argentine player of all time cannot be complete without a world title, which the late Maradona won almost single-handedly 36 years ago.
Gritty Croatia came back from 1-0 in extra-time to claim a 4-2 penalty shootout victory and with it a spot in the semi-finals.
Croatia have no major injury concerns going into Sunday's World Cup final despite having played three 120-minute matches
'I have calmly accepted that, and since I need my players fit and ready to play, I have made this decision'
'But that in no way diminishes France's win. Maybe we were a bit unlucky, in the first six games we were favoured by luck'
How they strategised, motivated and led their teams to victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah have been nominated as finalists for The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, world soccer's governing body announced on Monday.
Denmark's Christian Eriksen was given CPR by medical staff on the pitch during the Euro 2020 match against Finland before being rushed to a nearby hospital.
Croatia's head coach Zlatko Dalic said as he prepares his side for Thursday's decisive Group F showdown.
Images from the FIFA World Cup third place playoff match between Croatia and Morocco on Saturday.
Croatia midfielder Luka Modric suggested that his team's 2-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday had turned up the heat on Group D favourites Argentina
A round-up of Friday's action in the UEFA Nations League.
Here is what you need to know about their route to the final
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah were named as the three finalists.
'This is a miracle. Only great teams can be as brave as we were and fight back from a goal down against teams like England'
Croatia finished ahead, on goals scored, of the Czech Republic, who lost 1-0 to group winners England.
Holders France got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a disappointing start with a 1-1 draw at home to Ukraine
England hailed as heroes after World Cup heartache
Croatia progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup after a second successive penalty shootout on Saturday but their inability to put away another unimpressive team over 90 minutes and extra time is a major worry for the Balkan side.
Ivan Perisic scored a stunning second half equaliser as Croatia pegged back Czech Republic for a 1-1 draw in Group D on Friday, keeping their slim hopes alive of qualifying to the European Championship knockout stages.
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