Croatia had taken the lead on two occasions through Kramaric and then Jedvaj, but were pegged back both times because of a Dani Ceballos strike and a Sergio Ramos penalty.
As the game went in to the dying minutes, the home side knew they needed a win to have a chance in the tournament and went for it.
Their luck game to pass when Brekalo shot from the left side of the box and drew a save from De Gea.
However, the stop went straight in to the path of Jedvaj, who couldn't miss from just a few yards out.