SPAIN got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a flying start with a 3-0 win over Croatia!
Former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata opened the scoring before Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal added goals before half-time.
Croatia thought they had a lifeline with 10 mins remaining but Bruno Petkovic’s goal – tapping home after missing from the penalty spot – was ruled out after a VAR check.
Italy and minnows Albania complete Group B, and they play tonight.
- Kick-off: 5pm BST
- TV channel/ live stream: ITV 1
- Spain XI: Unai Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Nico Williams
- Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric; Budimir
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Match report
Here’s your full match report for today’s game, written by the one and only Dan King out in Germany.
Full-time match stats
This is how the match stats look at full-time.
Unusually for La Furia Roja, they didn’t dominate possession, but they were ruthless in front of goal and made the most of their chances.
The match stats as Spain took on Croatia in Group B Remember the name, Lamine Yamal
This seemed like the day Lamine Yamal announced himself really to the world.
Everyone in Spain already knew him, and how good he has been for Barcelona this season, but for many this would be their first time watching the 16-year-old magician.
To me, he looks like a second coming of Riyad Mahrez, with an even higher ceiling.
His assist today was simply sublime, a curling ball from the right-hand side, delivered first-class from his left boot.
It was set up perfectly for Dani Carvajal to finish on the volley.
He was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet himself, as he was played in on goal by Pedri only to be denied by a fantastic Dominik Livakovic save.
He was sensational, and is fully deserving of all the plaudits he is set to receive for that performance.
Bring on Italy.
Remember the name, Lamine Yamal
Morata the killer in the group of death
Alvaro Morata became a meme during his time at Chelsea, and might not be the first name who pops into your mind when you think of elite strikers.
But at international level, his credentials as a top class number nine cannot be denied any longer.
He is the third highest scorer in Euro’s history behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Michel Platini, and added another goal to his tally against Croatia today.
He was played through by a fantastic pass by Fabian Ruiz, and was the coolest man in Berlin as he slotted the ball past Dominik Livakovic.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Michel Platini have scored more Euro’s goals than Alvaro MorataCredit: Getty FULL-TIME: Spain 3-0 Croatia
FT. That’s all for this one, and Spain are instantly put in a commanding position in group B, dominating what could be their toughest opposition of the three group games.
It was far from a perfect performance by the Spaniards, but they certainly showed they have got what it takes to compete with the big boys.
Watch out for La Furia Roja.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
90+2. Spain are working hard here to keep their clean sheet intact.
Dani Olmo gets back to support Marc Cucurella who is being troubled by Majer.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
90. There will be five minutes of added time at the end of this one.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
86. Lamine Yamal has been replaced by fellow Barcelona star Ferran Torres.
He has been absolutely sublime today, and is certainly a star for the future and for today, picking up a beautiful assist.
PENALTY MISSED, GOAL DISALLOWED: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Rodri brings down Petkovic for a Croatian penalty, which is taken by Petkovic and saved by Unai Simon!
Perisic is first to the rebound, and passes it across for Petkovic to tap home, and he does!
HOWEVER!
VAR intervenes and deems that Perisic had encroached on the penalty area and the goal is ruled out.
PENALTY! Spain 3-0 Croatia
It’s a penalty for Croatia!
Petkovic has an open goal in front of him after a huge mistake by Unai Simon, but Rodri brings him down before he can tap it home.
Yellow card for Rodri.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
75. A great pass from Sucic is played out wide to Perisic, who delivers a cross into the middle.
Easily claimed by Unai Simon.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
72. Another change for Croatia, as Petkovic replaces Kramaric, who has been poor today.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
70. Gvardiol loses possession for Croatia, and Lamine Yamal is cheered once more.
The 16-year-old has cooked him today.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
67. Morata is unable to continue here, and boots the ball out of play in order to be substituted, but the Spanish manager decides NOT to make a change.
He is pottering around the pitch now, seemingly trying to force a change.
He does eventually get it, and comes off alongside Nico Williams.
They are replaced by Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic are replaced by Luka Sucic and Mario Pasalic for Croatia.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
62. Mateo Kovacic makes another fantastic run through the Spanish midfield, and plays it into Majer, but the attack breaks down.
The ex-Chelsea man has been a delight to watch today, but has been somewhat let down by his teammates.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
60. A change for both teams, as Dani Olmo comes on for Pedri, and the legendary Ivan Perisic enters the pitch for Croatia, replacing Ante Budimir.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
57. Spain have a free-kick, which is taken by Lamine Yamal, but hit straight into the wall.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
54. SO CLOSE FOR YAMAL!
That is a golden opportunity for the 16-year-old.
Pedri does really well when driving forwards, and lays the ball off perfectly into the path of Yamine Lamal.
He is running onto it and looks to sweep it into the back of the net, but is denied by a fantastic Livakovic save.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
53. A lovely move from Croatia there, as Kovacic does really well to find Majer who is further forward.
He plays a lovely ball into Kramaric, but the number nine loses it again.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
50. Promising attack for Croatia, who come forward thanks to a gorgeous pass from Luka Modric into Andrej Kramaric.
He cuts inside, but loses his balance and a shot lashed at goal by Gvardiol is easily blocked.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
48. Spain come forwards once more as they catch Croatia trying to play out from the back again.
Morata plays it into Marc Cucurella, but Spain lose possession with Fabian Ruiz.
BACK UNDERWAY: Spain 3-0 Croatia
46. Spain get us back underway here for the second half.
No changes from either side.
Match stats
This is how the match stats look at half-time.
Spain are dominating the scoreline, despite Croatia having the lion share of possession.
HALF TIME: Spain 3-0 Croatia
HT. The referee calls the first half to a close after that superb goal from Dani Carvajal.
Croatia will need a serious improvement in the second half if they are going to get back into this game.
We will bring you some half-time analysis and full coverage of the second half very shortly.
GOALLLLL! Spain 3-0 Croatia
DANI CARVAJAL MAKES IT THREE FOR SPAIN!
IT’S AN ASSIST FOR LAMINE YAMAL!
Spain play it short from a corner and Lamine Yamal picks it up before playing a Riyad Mahrez-esque pass curling onto the foot of Dani Carvajal.
The captain taps it home past Livakovic to put La Furia Roja three to the good right on the stroke of half-time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
