It was the first real meeting of Euro 2024 heavyweights – and the result was far more one-sided than expected.
Spain got their campaign off to an impressive start with a 3-0 win over Croatia at Berlin’s Olympiastadion thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal, all scoring before half-time.
Real Madrid full-back Carvajal’s strike was assisted by Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player in a European Championship, aged 16 years and 338 days.
His performance was just one of many positives for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, while there was only disappointment for Croatian legend Luka Modric and his teammates, who saw a late consolation excluded by the video assistant referee.
Here, Athleticism Dermot Corrigan, Tim Spiers and Tom Burrows detail the talking points.
How good was Yamal, the record holder,?
He showed why he is one of football’s hottest emerging superstars.
A fairy tale 12 months had seen the La Masia academy graduate become La Liga’s youngest player, Champions League starter and La Liga goalscorer.
Today he showed why he fully deserves his place in Spain’s senior XI. There was an awkward moment early on when he appeared to break free behind the Croatian defense, before cutting in awkwardly onto his left foot – but from there he established himself as Spain’s most important striker .
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What makes Lamine Yamal such a special footballer?
It was his perseverance and quality, attacking the Croatian defense and then keeping the ball in a dangerous area, that led directly to Fabian’s goal for 2-0. Then his terrific moving cross allowed Carvajal to finish easily to put Spain even further ahead.
Yamal impressed once again by making history (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Including his international goalscoring debut against Georgia last September, Yamal now has seven goals (two goals and five assists) in his eight senior caps. After the break, Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic prevented Yamal from getting his name on the scoresheet, and the teenager then almost recorded a second assist, this time for Morata.
“The other day I told Lamine that when I was 17 I was celebrating winning the Copa del Rey under-19 with Real Madrid,” Carvajal said of Yamal during the week. “This kid is now important with Barcelona and Spain. It’s crazy.
The date of Yamal’s 17th birthday? July 13 – eve of the Euro 2024 final.
Dermot Corrigan
And how good was Spain?
Many questions loomed over this Spain team heading into Euro 2024, from back to front, with coach De la Fuente beginning his first tournament in charge.
And the first quarter of the match didn’t seem to be going very well, with Croatia having more of the ball and looking to gain confidence.
But then a move from Croatia failed, Spain hit back quickly and Morata finished confidently. The oft-questioned La Roja captain, who had scored just twice in the last five months for his club Atletico Madrid, had returned to form at the right time.
Morata celebrates his goal on Saturday (Peter Lous/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper Unai Simon also had his doubters, with individual errors costing Spain dearly in previous tournaments, but he looked sure and assured for most of the match, including when he denied the Mateo Kovacic’s long-range effort made it 1-0 and hit a ball. Andrej Kramaric’s header close to goal in the second half.
Even De la Fuente’s questionable choices paid off. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian scored an excellent goal and assist, and Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella cleared the line in the second half.
But then Morata and Rodri left the field apparently injured in the second half and Simon made a usual mistake by giving the ball to Lovro Majer, which led to Croatia’s penalty.
So it wasn’t a perfect day for Spain, but it was a good start nonetheless.
Dermot Corrigan
The Croatian old guard is suffering
There was something very symbolic about the role of Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic in Spain’s second goal at the Olympiastadion.
There seemed to be very little going on for Spain, with Croatia well placed defensively on the edge of their own box, but Fabian then wrong-footed Modric, who was left staring at a gaping Munich . He then pushed past a helpless Brozovic, who had no intention of risking a penalty with a sliding tackle, allowing Fabian to finish cleanly in the corner.
Great goal, terrible defense.
The Croatian midfielder, with Mateo Kovacic completing the trio, has been the national team’s constant and reliable presence for many years, capable of taking charge of any football match and producing moments of genius. All of them are over 30 years old and between them, they have nearly 400 caps (375 today).
Modric recently renewed with Real Madrid (Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
They were not dominated by the younger, more dashing Spanish midfielder, far from it, but Brozovic’s influence as a pivot was hampered by Spain’s impressive pressing play and too often Modric and Kovacic found their teammates on different wavelengths.
Croatia missed a few easy chances in a box and defended poorly in defense for Spain’s other two goals. So in terms of losing, you can consider the offense and defense to be more culpable.
When Modric and Kovacic were hooked in the 65th minute, it was suspected that Zlatko Dalic had his eye on Albania on Wednesday. But again, the symbolism was there.
Tim Spiers
What happened with the disallowed goal?
After a frustrating evening, Croatia thought they had finally managed to come back with 10 minutes to go, which could potentially add some spice to the final.
Having received a penalty following a foul by Rodri, substitute Bruno Petkovic missed the kick before scoring on the rebound after a smart reduction from his compatriot Ivan Perisic.
However, the goal was later scored following a VAR check, with Perisic deemed to have entered the box too early, with no replay called.
According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body of world football, an encroachment by the attacker only results in a restart if he scores directly from the penalty spot.
Perisic protesting with referee Michael Oliver (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
There was also a VAR check on Rodri’s foul – with some questions over whether he should have been sent off. Michael Oliver instead showed him a yellow card, probably because the referee felt an attempt had been made to play the ball. A player cannot be sent off and concede a penalty if it is considered that he attempted to make a fair challenge.
This all sums up Croatia’s disappointing evening in front of goal.
Ahead of the tournament, one of Croatia’s main concerns was their lack of attacking firepower, with Zlatko Dalic unable to rely on a clinical striker like Davor Suker or Mario Mandzukic, and this clearly showed during the match opening night this evening. .
Against Spain, Osasuna striker Ante Budimir led the line but was guilty of a shocking miss to send Croatia back just before half-time after a smart cross from Manchester’s Josko Gvardiol City.
Trailing 2-0, Croatia had another good chance to get back into the competition, but Lovro Majer hit the side-netting when Unai Simon parried Marcelo Brozovic’s shot into his path.
Ten minutes into the second half, Croatia failed to score again after excellent work from Kovacic setting up Josip Stanisic, whose shot was blocked by Marc Cucurella. Budimir had another chance in the ensuing melee, but after failing to convert he was immediately hooked by Dalic.
Something to think about for Dalic as Croatia now turns to Albania on Wednesday in Hamburg, a match where they will expect to have even more chances.
Tom Burrows
What did Spain coach Luis de la Fuente say?
“We are very happy, but very careful, we know how football is,” he told RTVE. “It’s a good start, with good feelings, our football, our competitiveness. But this has only just begun, there is still a long way to go.
“It was a very complete match, in defense and attack, brilliant in our high pressing against one of the best technical teams in the world. I’m happy with the attitude, the way we read the match, what we had to do and obviously the result.
“But we can still do much better. You have to be demanding, take advantage of this result, but prepare for the next match.
What did Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic say?
“We withstood the initial pressure from Spain in the first 10-15 minutes. After that we took control, we were better and started creating chances.
“But then we conceded a goal because of our mistake and we couldn’t get back into the game afterwards. It wasn’t good.
What future for Spain?
Thursday June 20: Italy (Gelsenkirchen), 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET
What future for Croatia?
Wednesday June 19: Albania (Hamburg), 2 p.m. BST, 9 a.m. ET
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(Top photo: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/photo alliance via Getty Images)