Croatia 0-0 (4-5 on pens) Spain
We were told these two nations could produce a UEFA Nations League classic.
A Sunday night full of Nations League highlights to round off – albeit much later than ideal – the final tournament of the 2022-23 football season with a piece of silverware up for grabs.
My SBOTOP colleague had also predicted Spanish success, Viva Espana, after studying the Nations League betting odds and tipping them to go one better than last time in this competition when they were beaten in the 2021 final.
Yet, in the words of Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić, his money was on the greatest ever Croatian football generation.
Who was I to believe?!
Highlights of the game
Dalic made just one change to his team which started the 4-2 extra time semi-final victory over Holland on Wednesday as Martin Erlic replaced Domagoj Vida at the heart of the defence.
Meanwhile, Bruno Petkovic, who scored the winner in extra time against the Dutch, was named on the bench.
As for Spain, their boss Luis de la Fuente – appointed after their World Cup exit last December – brought in two new faces following their last four win over Italy.
Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz was handed a starting berth alongside Rodri in central midfield, replacing Mikel Merino, while Marco Asensio replaced Rodrigo out wide.
Both sides made tentative starts; understandably given there was a trophy at stake and, in one nation’s case, the chance to win a first major honour.
Despite possessing what many, myself included, considered an ageing squad, Croatia claimed third place and the bronze medal in Qatar at the World Cup six months ago.
Indeed, the last six years had been like a dream for Croatia fans; silver and bronze medals at consecutive World Cups, reaching the knockout stage at Euro 2020 and now another medal at the UEFA Nations League.
But if it could be a gold medal rather than another silver, then history would be made for the country which effectively only began life as an independent football nation in the early 1990s.
For Spain, European champions in 2008 and 2012 with a World Cup triumph sandwiched in between, this was a stage to which they were far more accustomed and they threw down an early warning as talented youngster Gavi skimmed a powerful low shot just wide of Dominik Livakovic’s right-hand post 12 minutes in.
That was pretty much the closest we came to a goal in the opening half as both sides probed without creating, although the promptings of Ivan Perisic and captain Luka Modric, winning his 166th international cap, seemed to be sharper than those in red.
For all of that, Spain went closest to breaking the deadlock 12 minutes after the restart when Jordi Alba scampered down the left and hung a cross to Asensio whose header sailed high but acted as a warning.
Midway through the half, and with it looking like one goal would be enough for either side, Spain turned to talented 20 year-old Ansu Fati and Joselu, the late goal hero against the Italians.
Still opportunities remained at a premium, although I am unsure whether that was down to two sides cancelling each other out or failing to go all out with one lapse threatening to decide the outcome.
It so nearly came six minutes from time.
Indeed, the Spanish bench were up on their feet in anticipation of a goal when Fati rifled in a powerful low effort which was goalbound until Perisic superbly cleared the ball off the line.
Asensio then went close in stoppage time when he raced onto a bouncing ball but could not get his shot on target and extra time loomed.
Into the additional 30 minutes and fine run and block by Mateo Kovacic denied a likely Spanish opener, while Unai Simon had to be alert to keep out Marcelo Brozovic as extra-time went one way and then the other.
And so onto the dreaded penalty shoot-out as the only way to separate two sides who deserve enormous praise for their stamina at the end of a campaign like no other.
Of course, there could only be one winner and, following one miss apiece in the initial five spot-kicks, it was Bruno Petkovic who proved to be the fall-guy as his sudden death spot-kick was missed, allowing substitute Dani Carvajal to win it for Spain.
They are victorious and, while Croatia deserve so many plaudits, this may be as close as they come to a trophy for a generation.
Key statistics
Spain have not lost any of their 18 games with Fabian Ruiz in the team in all competitions (won 11, drawn seven), an unbeaten record for any player for the Spanish national team since August 2010.
This was the 10th meeting between Croatia and Spain. La Roja lead the head-to-head with six victories (drawn one, lost three).
What’s next?
And that concludes the campaign for both these nations.
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