Just hours after Italy claimed bronze in the UEFA Nations League, Croatia faced Spain under the lights of Rotterdam’s infamous De Kuip Stadium. It would have been difficult to pick the favourites ahead of kickoff, with Croatia having needed extra time to find a way past the Netherlands – but they’d had an extra day to recover compared to their Spanish opposition.
CRO: Livakovic; Perisic, Sutalo, Erlic, Juranovic; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Ivanusec, Kramaric; Pasalic
ESP: Simon; Alba, Laporte, Le Normand, Navas; Fabian, Rodri; Yeremy, Gavi, Asensio; Morata
The majority of neutral fans ahead of kickoff were crying out for a Croatian victory in Rotterdam, after the nation have come so close to major silverware on numerous occasions over the last decade – and as we know, football has the ability to produce fairytales.
This had the potential to be a final for the ages, and a final chance for Croatia’s so-called golden generation to thrust themselves onto the winners’ stage for the first time before their inevitable decline. A raucous crowd would spur them on, but it was Spain that had the better chances in the opening stages.
Livakovic’s failure to deal with a corner resulted in Alvaro Morata being given a second chance to open the scoring, though the ‘keeper somehow recovered to palm away his tame effort. La Roja came close once more just minutes later – this time, Gavi’s strike from the edge of the box flew inches wide of the post despite having Livakovic well beaten.
Yet as the game matured, Spain’s defensive frailties were exposed as Croatia flooded balls over the top of their rusty backline – a great recovery from Aymeric Laporte and a rushed clearance from Unai Simon ensured the game remained goalless.
Marcelo Brozovic produced a moment of magic in a desperate attempt to create an opening for his side, spinning past Gavi to fire a cross into the box – though nobody was able to poke home. Despite this flurry of chances, neither side was able to open the scoring ahead of half-time.
Spain came close just before the hour mark, with Yeremy feeding Alba on the overlap. The Barcelona man looked to launch a cross into the box for Marco Asensio, who sent his header over the crossbar despite being unmarked and under very little pressure.
La Roja were certainly enjoying their newfound attacking confidence as the half progressed, with Fabian Ruiz spurning an opportunity as his chipped effort settled on the roof of the net. With mere minutes left on the clock, Merino looked to tee up Ansu Fati – though the young winger’s tame effort was cleared by Ivan Perisic.
Despite these two sides scoring a combined six goals in their semifinal fixtures, the game remained goalless after ninety minutes – and the fans inside De Kuip would be treated to thirty additional minutes of extra time.
Kovacic looked to set up Majer towards the end of the first half of added time, though the latter was swiped to the ground with a perfectly timed tackle by Nacho. The Spaniard appeared to be in some discomfort following the challenge, though was able to continue in pain as his side had already used all of their substitutions.
There were chances for both sides within the final fifteen minutes, but every attack ultimately lacked the required quality – and penalties were needed to decide which team would prevail in the third-ever UEFA Nations League.
Nikola Vlasic was up first, and the Croatian made absolutely no mistake as he thundered an effort past Unai Simon. Having scored the winner in the semifinal, Joselu was up next for Spain – his strike struck the roof of the net to ensure the scoreline remained level. 1-1.
Brozovic stepped up second for Croatia, maintaining eye contact with the ‘keeper as he blasted a strike low and hard into the bottom corner. Rodri’s perfect season continued with a perfect penalty into the side netting – has the City midfielder slipped up at all this season? 2-2.
Luka Modric is the embodiment of Croatian football, and he was never going to miss from the spot. His clinical effort rippled the roof of the net, piling the pressure on Mikel Moreno – but the Spaniard rose to the occasion, with a tame effort sending Livakovic the wrong way. 3-3.
But Croatia slipped up with their fourth strike, as Unai Simon dived the right way to palm Lovro Majer’s effort wide of the post. For the first time, Spain held the advantage – and Marco Asensio capitalised on that, pummelling an effort into the roof of the net. 4-3.
The pressure was firmly on Ivan Perisic’s shoulders, and the left-back ensured Croatia’s hopes of silverware remained alive for at least another minute. Aymeric Laporte’s task was simple – score and win. Unlike his Manchester City teammate, the defender crumbled under pressure and struck the woodwork, sending this fixture to sudden death. 4-4.
Petkovic’s first attempt was sent wide by Unai Simon – who just about avoided an encroachment offence. Once more, Spain were just one shot from victory. Dani Carvajal’s calm and composed effort down the middle was simply perfect, and after a thirteen year wait, Spain have lifted silverware once more.
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