Spain made a dream begin to Euro 2024 as Alvaro Morata scored in an announcement 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin on Saturday, with Lamine Yamal turning into the youngest participant within the competitors’s historical past. The three-time European champions have typically been accused of being toothless in assault throughout current main tournaments, however produced an eye catching show on the Olympiastadion to chop aside a disappointing Croatia. Morata broke the impasse within the twenty ninth minute together with his seventh Euros aim, shifting joint-third on the all-time listing alongside Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.
Fabian Ruiz added a second shortly afterwards with a beautiful particular person strike.
Yamal made his mark with the help for Dani Carvajal to successfully kill the sport as a contest on the stroke of half-time, whereas Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic missed a late penalty.
This repeat of final yr’s Nations League ultimate, received by Spain on penalties after a 0-0 draw, suggests La Roja are able to contending for a record-breaking fourth European Championship title.
World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, although, have all of it to do if they’re to succeed in the knockout section for a fifth consecutive main event, with video games in opposition to Albania and holders Italy to return in a troublesome Group B.
Luka Modric, so typically their inspiration, was substituted halfway by way of the second half by coach Zlatko Dalic.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente named an thrilling beginning XI, together with wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.
The Barcelona starlet, 16 years and 338 days outdated, beat the earlier document for youngest participant at a Euros held by Polish worldwide Kacper Kozlowski, who performed at Euro 2020 at 17 years and 246 days outdated.
– Croatia’s subdued begin –
Croatia loved the overwhelming majority of help from the stands, with their followers holding up one big banner throughout their nationwide anthem, studying “Once we get going, heaven and earth will burn”.
However Croatia began slowly, as Spain dominated possession in trademark style.
Spain additionally confirmed their growing versatility below De la Fuente with their first aim, as one glorious by way of ball from inside his personal half by Ruiz despatched Morata clear by way of and the captain made no mistake with a cool end previous a stranded Dominik Livakovic.
Ruiz put Spain in whole management simply three minutes later, jinking previous two Croatia defenders contained in the field earlier than taking pictures by way of the legs of Josip Sutalo and into the underside nook.
Croatia virtually pulled one again instantly as the sport began to echo the end-to-end nature of the 2 groups’ thrilling last-16 conflict at Euro 2020, received 5-3 by Spain after additional time.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon bought down shortly to maintain out Marcelo Brozovic’s shot and Lovro Majer might solely discover the side-netting from the rebound.
Croatia continued to create probabilities, as Josko Gvardiol‘s cross-cum-shot narrowly averted each Ante Budimir within the centre and the far put up.
However full-back Carvajal, who scored the opening aim in Actual Madrid’s Champions League ultimate overcome Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, put the sport to mattress in first-half added time.
Yamal collected the ball after a nook was cleared and curled a scrumptious cross into the center for Carvajal to stretch and stab residence on the volley.
Croatia tried to press ahead early within the second interval however left areas for Spain to use and Yamal was denied one other document for youngest Euros scorer when Livakovic produced a superb save to show away his low effort.
Marc Cucurella, a controversial choice by De la Fuente at left-back, made a goal-saving block to forestall Josip Stanisic giving Croatia hope.
Substitute Petkovic thought he had pulled one again late on when he tapped in after his penalty was saved by Simon.
However the aim was dominated out by VAR for encroachment by Ivan Perisic as Spain added a clear sheet to an virtually good outing.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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