Two-time winners Spain opened their EURO 2024 campaign with an impressive 3-0 win over Croatia on Saturday evening.
EURO 2024
Result: Spain 3-0 Croatia
Date: 15 June 2024
Venue: Olympiastadion Berlin
La Roja's young attacking sensation Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to feature at the Euros, at 16 years, 338 days, as he joined Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams to lead the attack.
The contrast was the case for Croatia, as Luka Modric became the oldest outfield player to feature at the Euros since 2000, at 39 years, among the experienced midfield that also had Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic.
Spain had spaces to exploit behind the Croatia defence in the opening exchanges, who were playing a high line.
After a couple of mishaps by Yamal, Morata eventually broke the deadlock for Luis de la Fuente's charges on the half-hour mark with a point-blank strike after going through on goal.
The Chequered Ones were not given time to settle as just a few minutes later Fabian Ruiz doubled the lead for Spain with a well taken shot after a quick turn in the box.
Croatia became more vulnerable as they had to send numbers forward and Dani Carvajal made it 3-0 for La Roja on the stroke of half-time after he deflected home a cross by Yamal at the near post.
Zlatko Dalic's charges had a bright start in the second stanza as six minutes from the break they came close to pulling a goal back after Josip Stanisic had his shot cleared off the line and subsequent efforts in the goal-mouth were also blocked by Spain.
Dalic needed urgency going forward as on 65 minutes he withdrew Modric and brought on Mario Pasalic.
Although La Roja had control of the game, holding possession for longer periods, Croatia thought they had a lifeline ten minutes before time after Bruno Petkovic scored from a rebound after his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon but the goal was disallowed for encroachment after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
In the end, La Roja were comfortable as they ran down the clock with possession and got their Group B campaign off to a perfect start.
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