UEFA Euro 2024
Spain……….3
Croatia……..0
With these two teams meeting for a fourth consecutive EURO finals, Spain emerged victorious for the third time against familiar foes with a sharp and efficient attacking performance.
After controlling the early moments, La Roja took the lead at 29 minutes, with Fabián Ruiz delivering a precise pass to Álvaro Morata, who calmly finished for his seventh EURO finals goal for his nation, three of which have been against Croatia.
Just minutes later, Fabián Ruiz turned from provider to scorer, twisting and turning in the box before shooting into the bottom-right corner, putting Spain firmly in control.
Croatia responded well to that quick double, with Joško Gvardiol testing Unai Simón’s reflexes and Ante Budimir narrowly missing the rebound.
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But Spain’s 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal set up his side’s third goal just before half-time, with his sharp cross being turned in by Champions League final scorer Dani Carvajal, capping off a superb first half for Luis de la Fuente’s team.
Yamal was active again at the start of the second half, with only a brilliant reflex save from Dominik Livaković stopping him from becoming the youngest EURO scorer.
Croatia got a chance when Rodri brought down substitute Bruno Petković in the box with ten minutes left, but Simón guessed right and saved the forward’s penalty.
Vatreni will now regroup and face Albania on 19 June. Italy are next up for Spain the following day, and after such a strong performance, La Roja fans might start dreaming of a return to Berlin’s Olympiastadion for the final on 14 July.
Line-ups
Spain: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Pedri (Olmo 59), Rodri (Zubimendi 86), Fabián Ruiz; Yamal (Torres 86), Morata (Oyarzabal 67), Williams (Merino 68)
Croatia: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol; Modrić (Pašalić 65), Brozović, Kovačić (Sučić 65); Majer, Budimir (Perišić 56), Kramarić (Petković 72)
