The Spanish national team, three-time European champions in history, defeated the Croatian national team in the opening match of Group B at EURO 2024, at the final tournament in Germany, with a score of 3-0.
All of the Spanish goals were scored in the first half, by Morata, Ruiz, and Carvajal, in the 29th, 32nd, and 45th minutes, dominating this first half from Berlin, from Germany’s Olympic Stadium, in a fiery clash of a group that also includes Italy and Albania.
Morata was perfectly found by a deep pass from Fabian Ruiz and shot easily past a helpless Livakovic. The same PSG star, Ruiz, scored the 2-0 goal just three minutes later, and in injury time, after a corner kick taken by the young Yamal, Carvajal volleyed in for a phenomenal 3-0.
Croatia scored in the second half from a penalty, Unai Simon first saved Petkovici's shot, the play was followed by the Croats, the ball reached Petkovici again and he scored, but an offside was detected by VAR.
The second match of the evening in Group B follows, Italy vs Albania, at 10 p.m. The aging generation of Croatia now has many questions about qualifying from this very tough group.
Lamine Yamal has become the youngest player at a European Championship. He starts against Croatia, at just 16 years and 338 days old.
Starting lineups:
Spain: Simon - Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella - Pedri, Rodri, F. Ruiz - Yamal, Morata, N. Williams.
Coach: Luis de la Fuente.
Croatia: Livakovic - Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol - Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic - Majer, Budimir, Kramaric.
Coach: Zlatko Dalic.
Referee: Michael Oliver (England).