Spain reigns eleven years later after beating Croatia on penalties

With two saves from Unai Simón and brother-in-law Joselu Mata and Carvajal opening and closing the streak, Spain are champions eleven years later. The common fan still dances to the gear of this beardless, League of Nations tournament. Two of their three finals, — the first was won by Portugal over the Netherlands — were played by Spain, who previously lost to France and were left behind after a match that was at times sleepy.

De la Fuente just moved the hornet’s nest as far as the semi-final against Italy is concerned. A forced substitution, that of Rodrigo with physical problems, who was replaced by Marco Asensio, and another tile in the middle of the field. Fabian Ruiz took Mikel Merino’s place with the idea of ​​stretching more towards the inside position and freeing up Gavi. Fabián’s good recovery brought the first roar in the stands. His cross was clumsily palmed away by Livaković and Morata was left dead. The assistant raised the flag. The striker marked a clear option, which prevented VAR from having to draw the line. In corridor number eight, Gavi found room to lean forward. His shot missed by very little. A quarter of an hour ago, with the game barely tied, Spain gave several warnings.

Croatia played with Sassuolo defender Martin Erlic at the expense of veteran Domagoj Vida and left the stands to Modric. With three-quarters of the harlequins at capacity, songs poured in, begging Luka, on his way to the age of 38, not to retire. Croatia managed to take the lead in a move of many meters that put Kramarić, in a doubtful position, behind Le Normand, in a one-on-one against Unai Simón. The tenths that the Hoffenheim striker used to set up the shot was used by Laporte to avoid the consequences by falling to the ground.

Modrić and Rodri looked at each other at the exit from the kitchen. The City man aimlessly headed home Fabián’s cross. Perišić, also with his head, forced Simón to use it on two occasions. Although the forces were equal, Croatia and Spain were not equal in terms of method. These Dalićs were looking for a drive inside. Kovačić and Brošović tested themselves in two races. Nothing conclusive. Spain traveled more abroad, with a diesel engine, and ends up with changed legs. Very shallow. Overtime was not even mentioned at halftime.

Croatia changed its throat. Juranović’s cross from the right got Simón into trouble. They were bigger when the ball came from the other side. Perišić hung on, grabbed a goal at the start, and despite all the satisfaction, the Union Berlin team did not define. The Spanish plan was inconsistent. He put together a good combination in the first touch, between Yeremy and Alba, which Asensio headed over Livaković. With the outside play, Croatia, which was winning as a whole, found a danger that resisted from the inside. Another good pass by Perišić was sent to the side by Pašalić. Dalić turned to Petković in order to gain the ability to make a final defense. De la Fuente, Josela and Ansa Fata who, after the imprecise departure of Livaković, forced a good option for Fabián Ruiz.

Le Normand left injured. There are games that surprise and others, like this one, that don’t. If Croatia is in the middle, aim for extra time. This is how eight of the ten qualifying duels that he played with Dalić in one game, since 2017, ended like this. Spain is a green fruit. Ansu had sentence five from the end. The clearest in Spain. Providence, Perišić took it out. The last one, before extra time, was crossed too much by Asensio.

Majer, in another attack, managed to turn the tables in overtime. Nacho avoided it. They tried Olma and Brozović. Nothing. Asensio received a goal post. He lost control. Encouraged by Fati, Spain had its best minutes among the last. But if Croatia has shown that it works well, then it is to resist. From eleven meters, with the threat of a tangan in between, everything was settled. Simón stopped Majer’s fourth with his right foot. Laporte hit the crossbar with his heel. Unai stopped Petković in sixth place. And Carvajal, in the decisive one, brought glory.

Technical document

Croatia, 0: Livakovic; Juranović, Šutalo, Erlić, Perišić; Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić; Pašalić (Petković, m.61), Ivanušec (Vlašić, m.78) and Kramarić (Majer, m.91).

Spain, 0: Unai Simón; Jesús Navas (Carvajal, m.97), Le Normand (Nacho, m.78), Laporte, Jordi Alba; Rodri, Fabián (Mikel Merino, m.78), Gavi (Dani Olmo, m.87); Marco Asensio, Yeremy Pino (Ansu Fati, m.66) and Morata (Joselu, m.66).

Penalties: 1-0, Vlasic. 1-1, Joselu. 2-1, Brozovich. 2-2, Rodri. 3-2, Modric. 3-3, Mikel Merino. 3-3, Mayer misses. 3-4, Asensio. 4-4, Perišić. 4-4, Laporte misses. 4-4, Petković misses. 4-5, Carvajal.

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany). For Spain, he warned Gavi (80), Nacho (96) and Rodrigo (97); and Petković (91) for Croatia.

Incidents: the final of the third edition of the League of Nations, played in De Kuip, full, in the stands 51,000 spectators, 6,000 Spaniards.