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Alvaro Morata gave Spain a dream start to their Euro 2024 campaign as they beat Croatia 3-0 in Berlin on Saturday, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player in the tournament’s history to appear in the tournament.
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The three-time European champions have often been accused of attacking weakness in recent big games, but they put on a disappointing display at the Stadio Olimpico. Croatia.
Morata broke the deadlock in the 29th minute and scored his seventh goal in the European Cup, tying him for third place in history with Alan Shearer. Antoine Griezmann.
Shortly afterwards, Fabian Ruiz added another goal with a brilliant solo goal.
Yamal assisted Dani Carvajal to seal the win before half-time, while Croatian striker Bruno Petkovic missed a penalty.
It was a repeat of last year’s Nations League final, with the winner being Spain After a 0-0 draw, Spain won on penalties, showing that they are capable of competing for a record fourth European Championship title.
World Cup However, semi-finalists Croatia will have a lot to do to reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the fifth time in a row, facing Albania They will be drawn in a very difficult Group B with defending champions Italy.
Luka ModricHe, who often provided inspiration for the team, was replaced by coach Zlatko Dalic midway through the second half.
Spain coach Luis De La Fuente unveiled an exciting starting XI that included wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.
At 16 years and 338 days old, the Barcelona starlet broke the record for the youngest player to play in a European Championship previously held by Polish international Kacpal Kozlowski, who played in the 2020 European Championship at the age of 17 years and 246 days.
Croatia had a sluggish start
Croatia enjoyed overwhelming support in the stands, with fans holding up a huge banner during the national anthem that read “When we go, heaven and earth will burn.”
But Croatia got off to a slow start as Spain dominated possession in their trademark fashion.
Spain’s first goal under De La Fuente also showcased their growing versatility, Ruiz playing a brilliant through ball inside his own half for Morata to slot home, with the captain calmly firing past Dominik Livakovic.
Just three minutes later, Ruiz was in complete control of the Spanish attack, dribbling past two Croatian defenders in the box before firing a shot between the legs of Josep Sutalo and into the bottom corner.
Croatia pulled one back almost immediately and the game began to echo the two teams’ thrilling last-16 clash at Euro 2020, which Spain won 5-3 in extra time.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon made a quick save to block Marcelo Brozovic’s shot, but Lovro Mayer’s rebound hit the side of the goal.
Croatia continued to create chances, with Josko Gvardiol’s cross-shot evading Ante Budimir in the middle and the far post.
But full-back Carvajal real Madridof Champions League Chelsea beat Borussia Dortmund in the final earlier this month, with the match ending in first-half stoppage time.
After the corner kick was cleared, Yamal received the ball and made a beautiful cross, and Carvajal reached out and poked the ball into the goal.
Croatia tried to move forward early in the second half but left Spain with an opportunity to take advantage. Yamal’s low shot was brilliantly saved by Livakovic, failing to break the record for the youngest scorer in the European Cup.
Marc Cucurella, De La Fuente’s controversial choice at left-back, made a save to prevent Josip Stanisic from giving Croatia hope.
Petkovic, who came on as a substitute, thought he had scored a goal by gently pushing the ball after Simon saved his penalty.
However, the goal was ruled invalid by VAR because Ivan Perisic The Spanish team won another clean sheet with an almost perfect game.
(AFP)
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