Spain kicked off their UEFA European Championship 2024 campaign in spectacular fashion, defeating Croatia 3-0 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. This triumph marked their eighth win in the last 11 head-to-head encounters against the Croats, setting the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament.
A Dominant Start
Arguably the pick of the fixtures from the first round of matches, Spain took control of the contest early on, showcasing a vastly more dynamic approach under Luis de la Fuente compared to his predecessor, Luis Enrique. The Spaniards utilized the flanks effectively but made their breakthrough with a direct pass into the heart of the Croatian defense. Álvaro Morata, capitalizing on this opportunity, slotted home a composed finish into the bottom corner just before the half-hour mark, marking his seventh goal in 11 appearances in this competition.
First-Half Fireworks
Spain’s momentum didn’t wane as they continued to press, leading to a whirlwind end to the first period. Midfielder Fabián Ruiz and Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal extended Spain’s lead to 3-0 before halftime. Ruiz displayed exceptional skill, twisting and turning in the area before smashing the ball past a helpless Dominik Livaković. Carvajal added to the tally with a superb finish, assisted by Barcelona’s prodigious winger Lamine Yamal, who made history as the youngest-ever player to feature in the tournament at just 16 years old.
Croatia’s Struggles
Croatia, despite their reputation and a strong performance in their previous match against Portugal, appeared shell-shocked. They struggled to gain any foothold in the game, and their lackluster display was compounded by a disallowed goal. Bruno Petković’s effort, which he tapped in after initially failing with his spot-kick, was ruled out by VAR, denying Croatia even a late consolation.
Looking Ahead
For Spain, this victory is a testament to their preparations and ambitions for the tournament. With an impressive qualification campaign behind them, their performance against Croatia signals their intent to be serious contenders for the title. However, the early withdrawal of Morata due to injury remains a concern, and fans will be anxiously awaiting news on his recovery ahead of their next match against Italy.
Conversely, Croatia faces an uphill battle in the so-called ‘group of death.’ With several of their experienced players potentially playing in their final major international tournament, they must regroup and find a way to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
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