Spain successfully entered the competition by winning 3-0 against Croatia in the shock of Group B, the toughest of Euro-2024, on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
The other match in the group will pit defending champion Italy against Albania in the evening.
The duel between La Roja and the Vatreni (“the Ardents), opposed for the fourth consecutive time in a Euro, as often turned to the advantage of the Spaniards.
Paris SG midfielder Fabian Ruiz, passer for Alvaro Morata (29th) and author of the second goal (32nd), was the great architect of the success of the triple European champions against the 2018 World Cup finalists. Dani Carvajal hit the nail on the head (45+2), served by the nugget Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to play a Euro match at 16 years and 338 days.
Two false notes, however, in this match: Morata, visibly injured, asked to go out (67th) and Rodri also left the field (84th), without us knowing if he was affected or suffering from cramps.
Perfectly launched into the axis by Ruiz, captain Morata opened the scoring with a low strike from the left (1-0, 29th).
Modric discret
Croatian Luka Modric (c) in front of Spaniard Fabian Ruiz (d), June 15, 2024 in Berlin / JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
In the process, Ruiz doubled the lead after a nice control-hooks-strike number from the left between the legs of defender Josip Sutalo (2-0, 32nd).
The Croats tried to react, but Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon deflected Marcelo Brozovic’s attempt (33rd). On the lookout, Lovro Majer attempted a recovery which ended up in the side net. That of Josko Gvardiol missed out (41st).
Just before the break, Carvajal did not miss the opportunity to knock out Luka Modric’s team, who was very discreet in this match. The Real Madrid player took a cross from Barcelona’s Yamal (3-0, 45+2).
Returning from the locker room, Marc Cucurella saved his team by blocking a right shot from Josip Stanisic (55th).
Spanish captain Alvaro Morata (c) opens the score against Croatia, June 15, 2024 in Berlin / JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP
At the end of the match, on a failed restart at the foot of Simon, Rodri sacrificed himself by committing a foul on Bruno Petkovic. The penalty struck by the latter was repelled by the Roja goalkeeper. Petkovic, served by Perisic, finally scored, but the goal was invalidated for an offside position by the Croatian passer (79th).
After their successful debut, the Spaniards now await the outgoing European champions Italians, their next opponents on Thursday.
