Spain gamers applaud after their win in opposition to Croatia within the Euro 2024 soccer championship match on June 15, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Spain made a dream begin to Euro 2024 as Alvaro Morata scored in an announcement 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin on June 15, with Lamine Yamal turning into the youngest participant within the competitors’s historical past.
The three-time European champions have typically been accused of being toothless in assault throughout latest main tournaments, however produced an attention grabbing show on the Olympiastadion to chop aside a disappointing Croatia.
Morata broke the impasse within the twenty ninth minute along with his seventh Euros aim, shifting joint-third on the all-time record alongside Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.
Fabian Ruiz added a second shortly afterwards with an exquisite particular person strike.
Yamal made his mark with the help for Dani Carvajal to successfully kill the sport as a contest on the stroke of half-time, whereas Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic missed a late penalty.
This repeat of final yr’s Nations League ultimate, received by Spain on penalties after a 0-0 draw, suggests La Roja are able to contending for a record-breaking fourth European Championship title.
Spain followers have fun their staff’s win over Croatia.
| Photograph Credit score:
Reuters
World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, although, have all of it to do if they’re to succeed in the knockout section for a fifth consecutive main event, with video games in opposition to Albania and holders Italy to return in a tough Group B.
Luka Modric, so typically their inspiration, was substituted halfway via the second half by coach Zlatko Dalic.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente named an thrilling beginning XI, together with wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.
The Barcelona starlet, 16 years and 338 days outdated, beat the earlier file for youngest participant at a Euros held by Polish worldwide Kacper Kozlowski, who performed at Euro 2020 at 17 years and 246 days outdated.
Croatia’s subdued begin
Croatia loved the overwhelming majority of help from the stands, with their followers holding up one large banner throughout their nationwide anthem, studying “Once we get going, heaven and earth will burn”.
However Croatia began slowly, as Spain dominated possession in trademark vogue.
Spain additionally confirmed their growing versatility beneath De la Fuente with their first aim, as one glorious via ball from inside his personal half by Ruiz despatched Morata clear via and the captain made no mistake with a cool end previous a stranded Dominik Livakovic.
Ruiz put Spain in whole management simply three minutes later, jinking previous two Croatia defenders contained in the field earlier than taking pictures via the legs of Josip Sutalo and into the underside nook.
Croatia virtually pulled one again instantly as the sport began to echo the end-to-end nature of the 2 groups’ thrilling last-16 conflict at Euro 2020, received 5-3 by Spain after additional time.
Spain gamers have fun a aim throughout the Euro 2024 soccer championship match in opposition to Croatia on June 15, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score:
Reuters
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon received down shortly to maintain out Marcelo Brozovic’s shot and Lovro Majer might solely discover the side-netting from the rebound.
Croatia continued to create probabilities, as Josko Gvardiol’s cross-cum-shot narrowly averted each Ante Budimir within the centre and the far publish.
However full-back Carvajal, who scored the opening aim in Actual Madrid’s Champions League ultimate conquer Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, put the sport to mattress in first-half added time.
Yamal collected the ball after a nook was cleared and curled a scrumptious cross into the center for Carvajal to stretch and stab dwelling on the volley.
Croatia tried to press ahead early within the second interval however left areas for Spain to take advantage of and Yamal was denied one other file for youngest Euros scorer when Livakovic produced a fantastic save to show away his low effort.
Marc Cucurella, a controversial choice by De la Fuente at left-back, made a goal-saving block to stop Josip Stanisic giving Croatia hope.
Substitute Petkovic thought he had pulled one again late on when he tapped in after his penalty was saved by Simon.
However the aim was dominated out by VAR for encroachment by Ivan Perisic as Spain added a clear sheet to an virtually excellent outing.