Once again, Spain's veterangoalkeeper showed why his nickname is "Saint Iker."
Iker Casillas bailed out his disorganized defense over and over in the secondhalf Monday, making two clutch saves to preserve Spain's 1-0 victory overCroatia and send the defending champions to the European Championshipquarterfinals.
"He can really save well in the important moments and that's what we needto have between the goal posts," Spain teammate Xabi Alonso said. "Wehave Iker and we are thankful for that."
Casillas got his hands up to stop Ivan Rakitic's point-blank header in the 59thminute and then got down to punch out Ivan Perisic's low volley in the 79th.
"I'm just lucky to play for this team," said Casillas, who now has 76clean sheets in 134 appearances for Spain and stretched his record number ofwins in international play to 98.
The 31-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper is no stranger to game-saving heroics,having already shown his mettle in the World Cup final two years ago and in apenalty shootout victory over Italy at Euro 2008.
Casillas is playing at his seventh major championship with Spain since makinghis debut in a 1-1 draw against Sweden in June 2000. Casillas' presence indefense is also a big plus for center backs Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique, whoare partnering for the first time and who have looked shaky at times.
Casillas' knack for coming up with clutch saves when Spain needs it certainlyinstills confidence.
"We knew they weren't just going to sit back," Spain coach Vicentedel Bosque said. "They had to come out and counterattack so theiropportunities were expected and Casillas dealt with them very well."
Casillas has been coming up big at major events since the 2002 World Cup. InSuwon, South Korea, Casillas saved Ian Harte's penalty kick in normal timebefore making a pair of saves in the shootout against Ireland to send Spaininto the quarterfinals.
The Spain captain's performance in a penalty shootout victory over Italy fouryears ago was perhaps the most significant in shaping the current run ofsuccess enjoyed by Spain as it went on to lift its first major title in 44years in Vienna.
And while Casillas has won a combined seven Champions League and Spanish leaguetitles with Real Madrid, his performances at the 2010 World Cup were critical.His penalty stop against Paraguay forward Oscar Cardozo in the quarterfinalshelped get Spain to the final, where he saved a chance from Arjen Robben as theNetherlands winger broke through alone in the 62nd minute.
"It's never easy," Casillas said. "It's a lot of games and a lotof opponents who want to beat Spain."