Spain Dominate in Euro 2024 Opener against Croatia

Spain got off to a fantastic start at the UEFA 2024 European Championships with a convincing 3-0 victory over Croatia at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Despite Croatia starting star players Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, Spain dominated the match from the outset.

Early Control and Goals

Luis de la Fuente’s team took control early, pressing high and keeping possession effectively. The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark when Álvaro Morata scored the opening goal. Spain didn’t stop there. Fabián Ruiz and Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal added two more goals before halftime, making it 3-0.

Lamine Yamal’s Historic Moment

One of the standout moments of the match was the performance of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal from Barcelona. Yamal, now the youngest player ever to feature in this tournament, delivered a brilliant pass that assisted Carvajal’s goal. His skill and composure were impressive, indicating a bright future ahead.

Croatia’s Struggle and Late Drama

Croatia seemed shell-shocked and struggled to get back into the game. Spain managed the second half well, slowing down the pace and making several substitutions that affected the flow of the match. Despite this, there was late drama when Croatia was awarded a penalty after Rodri tripped Bruno Petković. Although Unai Simón saved the penalty, Petković scored on the rebound. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to a Croatian player encroaching into the box during the penalty.

Key Performances and Future Prospects

Spain’s defense was solid throughout, with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella standing out and making important blocks. The team’s overall performance was cohesive, reflecting strong teamwork and strategic planning.

With this strong start, Spain has set a high bar in group B, dubbed the group of death, which also includes Italy and Albania. Croatia, facing a tough road ahead, will need to regroup quickly. Despite the disappointment, the 100,000 fans who traveled to Berlin will hope for a better performance in the upcoming matches.