Luka Modric scored for Croatia as they beat Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow to finish second in Group D on Tuesday.
Nikola Vlasic put Croatia in front just before the quarter-hour mark, driving home from the center of the field after Ivan Perisic led a cross behind him from the away post.
The goal took life out of Hampden Park and Scotland's fortunes did not appear to be improving as Croatia stroked around the pitch, but as the World Cup final seemed likely to turn the screw further, Steve Clarke The side returned.
Deprived of Billy Gilmour, who failed a COVID-19 test in the buildup, Scotland seemed to lack midfield and Croatia held on to the ball, holding for a large period before qualifying for the lead after 17 minutes. Done as Vlasik scored his sixth goal for his country.
However, Scotland leveled just before the break when a poor clearance by Croatia fell at the feet of Callum McGregor, who prepared himself and beat Croatia keeper Dominic Livakovic to level 1-1 at half time.
Croatia took the lead again in the 62nd minute when Mateo Kovacic bowled Modric at the top of the penalty area, who swung a lovely shot outside the reach of Scotland's David Marshall on his right foot.
"After tonight's performance, even if we had lost, we would have been able to walk off the pitch with our heads held high," said Modric, who is now Croatia's youngest and oldest at Euros. Scorers.
"The goal I scored means a lot to me, I'm glad it helped us win but the most important thing is that the whole team got to see the part."
Modric then drafted Perisic for Croatia's third place, with a flick-on header that doubled his team's advantage and ended Scotland's hopes of advancing to the Round of 16.
The Czech Republic lost to Group D winners England at the same time, with the Three Lions winning the group and the Czechs still leading the way as one of the best third-placed teams.
Croatia next face the runners-up of Group E - where Sweden, Slovakia, Spain and Poland are still jockeying for the position - in Copenhagen on 28 June.
On a down note for the losers, Scotland's terrible run of never scoring a knockout in a major tournament continued in 11 attempts.
"I think he had a lot of quality at the end, you see the second goal and Modric puts it in the top corner with the outside of his foot," said McGregor, Scotland's goalscorer. "At this stage you are against it. It is a hard lesson."