Spain 3-0 Croatia
When I suggested pre-tournament that the current Croatian crop was too past its peak to reach the latter stages of Euro 2024, it gave me no pleasure.
After all, this is the nation which has produced so many memorable moments in international football over the past three decades, often against much ore established nations.
So, while one result should not alter perceptions, Zlatko Dalic’s men will certainly need to show a lot more going forward at both ends of the pitch if they are to progress from a tricky Group B.
Highlights of the game
In fairness, this game was evenly poised until two quick fire goals midway through the first half swung it quickly and emphatically in Spain’s direction.
Firstly, Fabian Ruiz played through his captain Alvaro Morata who held off retreating defenders and coolly slotted home the opener.
Then Ruiz found himself on the edge of the box, surrounded by opponents but without too much intensity, and promptly went one way, then the other before drilling into the bottom corner.
Josko Gvardiol, coming up against his Manchester City team-mate Rodri, went close to reducing the arrears while Ante Budimir missed a gilt-edged opportunity as Croatia kicked into gear, yet the contest was over on the stroke of half-time.
That was when Dani Carvajal scored his first goal for the national team – just a fortnight after he scored in the Champions League Final for Real Madrid – expertly poking home a sumptuous delivery from Lamine Yamal.
Ah yes, Yamal, the 16 year-old Barcelona midfielder who became the youngest player to ever take to the field at a European Championship.
Yamal was born in Spain to Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean parents and recently revealed he would still be doing his school homework over the next month.
A schoolboy who can’t drink, can’t drive, but can lead Spain to the Euros.
His assortment of Euro 2024 highlights – only a fine save from Dominik Livakovic denied him a dream goal – showed just why Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has such faith.
La Fuente guided Spain to European Under-19 Championship glory, the European Under-21 championship and a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics so knows what impact young players can make but it was a big statement to start a 16 year-old, one that paid dividends.
After this showing, the SBOTOP Euro 2024 betting odds on Spain will have soared.
As for Croatia, who came to Germany on the back of a fine 2-1 friendly win in Portugal last weekend, this was an off day, although they should have scored at least once in the second period.
They did have the ball in the net when Bruno Petkovic converted a cut-back from returning substitute Ivan Perisic, this after his initial penalty had been saved, but it was disallowed for player encroachment before the spot-kick was taken.
Croatia still have never won a knockout round game at a European Championship and, if that sounds odd, the last (and only) time they’ve beaten anyone in 90 minutes after the group stage at any major tournament was 26 years ago in France (Romania and Germany).
Let us not forget though, it’s only 18 months since they finished third in the World Cup and it’s only a year this weekend since they were pipped by Spain in the final of the Nations League.
They will bounce back.
In a group which also comprises defending champions Italy, they have to.
Key statistics
This was the 10th meeting between the nations – La Roja lead the head-to-head with six wins (drawn one, lost three) – and the fourth successive European Championships in which they have locked horns.
Spain have scored at least two goals in their last four matches v Croatia.
Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Spain have lost only two of their last 23 matches at the European Championships (won 14, drawn seven).
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (eight) has scored more goals than Morata and Antoine Griezmann (seven each) across the last two European Championships.
Morata’s 29th minute opener ensured he became the first player to score against a specific opponent at three European Championships. He also scored against Croatia at Euro 2016 and 2020.
Morata is now the joint third top scorer in the history of the European Championship.
Ronaldo leads the way on 14, with Michel Platini next on nine (all scored in 1984). Griezmann, Alan Shearer and Morata are on seven each
What’s next?
It’s the big one now for Spain as they face reigning European champions Italy in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday night (June 20).
Croatia take on minnows Albania in Hamburg the day before.
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