Spain’s players applaud after winning against Croatia in the Euro 2024 soccer championship match on June 15, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
Spain began their Euro 2024 dream when Alvaro Morata scored in a statement 3-0 win over Croatia in Berlin on June 15, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history.
The three-time European champions have often been accused of being toothless in attack during major tournaments, but produced an impressive display at the Olympiastadion to eliminate a disappointing Croatia.
Morata broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with his seventh goal of the Euros, making him third alongside Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.
Fabian Ruiz added a second soon after after a superb individual strike.
Yamal made his mark with an assist for Dani Carvajal to effectively kill the game as a contest at half-time, while Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic missed a late penalty.
A repeat of last year’s Nations League final, which Spain won on penalties after a 0-0 draw, showed La Roja could be in contention for a record-breaking fourth European Cup title.
Spanish fans celebrate their team’s win against Croatia. | Photo credit: Reuters
Croatia are World Cup semi-finalists, but everything must be done if they are to reach the knockout stages for a fifth consecutive major tournament, with matches against Albania and holders Italy in a tough Group B.
Luka Modric, who was often an inspiration, was replaced midway through the second half by coach Zlatko Dalic.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has named an exciting starting line-up, including wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.
The Barcelona starlet, aged 16 years and 338 days, broke the previous record for the youngest player at the Euros held by Polish international Kacper Kozlowski, who played at Euro 2020 at the age of 17 years and 246 days.
At first, Croatia was weak
Croatia enjoyed plenty of support from the stands, with fans holding large banners during the national anthem, reading “When we go, heaven and earth will burn”.
But Croatia started slowly, as Spain dominated possession in trademark fashion.
Spain also showed the increasing versatility of De la Fuente with the first goal, a superb one through the ball from his own inside by Ruiz sent Morata clean through and the captain made no mistake with a good finish past the stranded Dominik Livakovic.
Ruiz put Spain in total control just three minutes later, beating two Croatian defenders inside the box before firing through the legs of Josip Sutalo and into the bottom corner.
Croatia almost immediately pulled one back as the game began to echo the end-to-end nature of the last 16 match that both teams enjoyed at Euro 2020, won 5-3 by Spain after extra time.
Spain’s players celebrate a goal during the Euro 2024 soccer championship match against Croatia on June 15, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon got down quickly to keep out Marcelo Brozovic’s shot and Lovro Majer could only find the side netting from the rebound.
Croatia continued to create chances, as Josko Gvardiol’s cross deflected off Ante Budimir in the center and at the far post.
But full-back Carvajal, who scored the opening goal in Real Madrid’s Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, put the game away in extra time in the first half.
Yamal collected the ball after a corner was cleared and curled a delicious cross into the center for Carvajal to step up and stab the volley home.
Croatia tried to go ahead early in the second period but left space for Spain to exploit and Yamal was denied another record for the Euros’ youngest goalscorer when Livakovic produced a fine save to deny his low effort.
Marc Cucurella, a controversial choice by De la Fuente at left-back, made a goal-saving block to prevent Josip Stanisic from giving Croatia hope.
Substitute Petkovic thought he had pulled back when he tapped in after a penalty was saved by Simon.
But the goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul by Ivan Perisic as Spain added a clean sheet to a near-perfect match.