World Cup bronze medalists outclassed

Spain vs. Croatia – LIVE from 6 pm

Nations League winners Spain win 3:0 against World Cup third-placed Croatia ...

(Bild: AP/Associated Press)

There's another way: after only narrowly winning the last few knockout matches, Spain's "Furia Roja" have once again won clearly against World Cup third-placed Croatia! In Berlin, the three-time European champions won 3:0 thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal ...

Bright sunshine, a pleasant air temperature of 22 degrees and 71,000 spectators in the stands - in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, the clash between the reigning Nations League winners and the 2022 World Cup bronze medallists would have been a soccer spectacle in a class of its own. However, neither the Spaniards nor the Croats were able or willing to deliver a spectacle, as there seemed to be too much concern that all the cards would be stacked against them in the first match of "Group of Death" B, in which, as we all know, another heavyweight awaits in the form of defending champions Italy.

(Bild: AP/Associated Press)

(Bild: AP/Associated Press)

Not too much danger at first
In the first 20 minutes or so, the "Furia Roja" had around 70 percent possession at times - but as is almost traditional, the Spaniards were unable to create too much danger despite what felt like endless chains of play. A long-range shot from Alvaro Morata (7') and two efforts from 16-year-old youngster Lamine Yamal (12', 15') did little to raise Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic's pulse and blood pressure.

Croats concede two goals in a strong phase
It was bitter for the "Kockasti" that their upturn in fortunes was stifled when the Spaniards made it 1-0 after half-chances from Lovro Majer (18th) and Ante Budimir (22nd and 23rd): Contrary to their reputation as possession emperors, team boss Luis De La Fuente's men quickly switched gears via Rodri and Fabian Ruiz after Marc Cucurella won the ball - and the PSG star's ideal pass was converted by Morata in a one-on-one duel with Livakovic to give them the lead (29').

Fabian Ruiz dribbles his way into the 2:0
It was another bitter blow for the "Kockasti" when they missed the equalizer on the counter-attack through Mateo Kovacic (31'), who was unmarked, but conceded 0:2 in the Spaniards' next serious action. The ball came via Yamal and Pedri to Fabian Ruiz, the assist provider for the 1:0, and he dribbled his way through from the edge of the penalty area against three Croatians acting like fire hydrants, gave Josip Sutalo a "pickle" and gave Livakovic no chance (32').

Majer loses his nerve in a promising position
Once again it was bitter for the "Kockasti" that they failed to hit back on the counter-attack: Once again it was Kovacic who fired a shot at Unai Simon's Spanish goal, forcing the goalkeeper into an extreme save. Majer, who had the rebound literally at his feet, lost his nerve in a promising position and only managed to hit the outside of the net (34').

Dani Carvajal makes it 3:0 for Spain
Majer (41), Andrej Kramaric (45) and Kovacic (45.+1) came close to the Furia Roja goal again, but their shots/crosses missed the target. And so it was left to the Spaniards to provide the final goal in half-time 1, which was slowly gaining momentum: after a short corner was taken, the ball came via Nico Williams and Yamal to Dani Carvajal, who ultimately only had to stick his foot out to make it 3:0 for Spain (45.+2).

(Bild: AFP)

Coaches De La Fuente and Zlatko Dalic sent their teams back out onto the pitch at Berlin's Olympia-Stadion with no changes to their personnel or system - a 4-3-3 with a variety of interpretations. Unlike in the first half, neither the Spaniards nor the Croatians let the opening phase go to waste after the restart.

First the Spaniards missed the 4:0, then the Croats the 1:3
After half-chances for Cucurella (48') and Josko Gvardiol (51' / blocked shot), the "Furia Roja" first missed the 4:0 in the person of Yamal due to a brilliant save by Livakovic (52') and Morata (53'), before Josip Stanisic and Kramaric were unable to convert their double chance against the for once wildly flustered Spanish defence, failing to score due to Cucurella and Unai Simon (55').

Croatia now much better in the game
Nevertheless, the Croatians were now much better in the game, probably also because the Spaniards were no longer playing in top gear. In the 65th minute, a double substitution by Croatia indicated that coach Dalic no longer seemed to believe in the turnaround either, as he took former star Luka Modric and Kovacic off the pitch and replaced them with Salzburg midfielders Luka Sucic and Mario Pasalic.

(Bild: AFP)

Curious penalty decisions
As the match slowly drew to a close, a moment of inattention from Unai Simon caused a major upset: the Spanish goalkeeper missed the right moment to make a pass, played the ball into the feet of the attacking Majer instead and he passed straight to the middle, where substitute Bruno Petkovic was fouled by Rodri - penalty!

It was bitter for the "Kockasti" that they didn't even score from the spot - because too many Croatian players sprinted into the penalty area too early for Petkovic's penalty shot, the supposed 1:3 scored in the penalty shoot-out did not count from Croatia's point of view. After that, the cheese was eaten, the last straw had been blown, the final mass had been read - nothing more happened and the Spaniards got their three-pointer over the distance without any further difficulties.

The result:
Spain - Croatia 3:0 (3:0)
Berlin, Olympiastadion, referee Michael Oliver

Goals: 1:0 (29') Morata, 2:0 (32') Fabian Ruiz, 3:0 (45.+2) Carvajal

Yellow card: Rodri

Spain: Simon - Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella - Pedri (59. Olmo), Rodri (86. Zubimendi), Ruiz - Yamal (86. Ferran Torres), Morata (67. Oyarzabal), Williams (67. Merino)
Croatia: Livakovic - Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol - Brozovic - Kramaric (72. Petkovic), Kovacic (65. Sucic), Modric (65. Pasalic), Majer - Budimir (56. Perisic)