Spain kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win over Croatia in Group B as Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to feature in the history of the competition.
After a tepid opening 25 minutes, La Roja broke the deadlock when Alvaro Morata raced clear before producing a composed finish.
Four minutes later, they doubled their lead when Fabian Ruiz bamboozled the opposition with some sharp footwork before lashing the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
That sparked Croatia into action and Josko Gvardiol came close to scoring. But on the stroke of half time they fell behind further when Yamal, aged 16 years and 338 days old, produced a brilliant cross which was converted by Dani Carvajal for his first international goal.
Zlatko Dalic’s side were unlucky not to reduce their deficit in the second period with Josip Stanisic’s shot was cleared off the line by Marc Cucurella and the rebound was saved by Unai Simon.
Croatia then thought they had scored late on after they were awarded a penalty when Rodri brought down Bruno Petkovic after a mistake by Simon.
Petkovic’s spot-kick was saved but he converted the rebound, however VAR disallowed the goal for encroachment in the box by Ivan Perisic.
TALKING POINT
In a difficult group with the reigning champions Italy, Spain got off to an ideal start against tricky opposition. Three first half goals, three different goalscorers, a job well done from Luis de la Fuente’s side. But they were not tested defensively by Croatia and it will be interesting to see how the 2008 and 2012 Euro winners fare against better teams.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Lamine Yamal (Spain): After a nervy start, the Barcelona man’s pace and trickery was too much for the Croatian defence to handle. The 16-year-old was involved in Ruiz’s goal and also assisted Carvajal’s goal with a brilliant swinging cross.
PLAYER RATINGS
CROATIA: Livakovic 6, Stanisic 6, Sutalo 5, Pongracic 5, Gvardiol 6; Modric 6, Brozovic 5, Kovacic 6; Majer 6, Budamir 6, Kramaric 5. Subs: Perisic 5, Pasalic 5, Sucic 5, Petkovic n/a.
SPAIN: Simon 8, Carvajal 7, Le Normand 7, Nacho 7, Cucurella 7, Pedri 6, Rodri 6, Fabian 7, Yamal 8, Morata 7, Williams 6. Subs: Olmo 4, Oyarazabal 5, Merino 5, Zubimendi n/a, Torres n/a.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
28′ – GOAL FOR SPAIN! Rodri threads it through to Morsata who coolly runs towards the box and slots it low past the keeper.
32′ – GOAL FOR SPAIN! Pedri lays it across to Ruiz who jinks inside and out before lashing a low shot into the botto mcorner from the edge of the box. Lovely strike.
45’+2 – GOAL FOR SPAIN! Carvajal converts Yamal’s cross on the volley from close range to make it 3-0!
55′ – SO CLOSE FOR CROATIA! Stanisic’s shot is cleared off the line by Cucurella, the rebound is kept out by Simon. I have no idea how Croatia have not scored there.
79′ – DISALLOWED GOAL FOR CROATIA! Petkovic’s penalty is well saved but he converts the rebound after the ball is squared to him. But after a VAR review, it is disallowed for encroachment in the box.
KEY STAT
Alvaro Morata becomes the third top scorer in the history of the Euros with seven goals. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (14) and Michel Platini (9) have scored more.