Spain 3-0 Croatia: La Roja kick off Euro 2024 campaign in style and silence doubters with thumping victory… as they take crucial three points in group of death

The German capital slowly woke up. Blurry from the night before and the demolition of Scotland. It looked more like Berlin with a sore head and by the time the view cleared and focus returned, it was teeming with Croatian supporters.

Fifty thousand in their red and white all giving new meaning to the city of Checkered Point Charlie, outnumbering the Spanish fans by about ten to one, creating a raucous din as they descended on the Olympic Stadium to unfurl banners and raise their flares to light.

Then they came up against Luis de la Fuente’s irresistible side, who scored three goals in the opening 45 minutes, scored by Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal, and made the Croats look as if this might be a tournament too far.

Zlatko Dalic’s team was easily cut open by the Spaniards, who claim to be a more goal-oriented model under new boss De la Fuente than his predecessor Luis Enrique. Here they performed with a pleasing poise. All the usual technical talent and the courage to play complex passes, but with an immediate threat.

“We lacked energy and aggression,” Dalic said. ‘The first goal was a mistake, and the worst was conceding from a corner in stoppage time of the first half. We couldn’t allow that and then the match was decided.’

Alvaro Morata gave Spain the lead after a quick counter-attack

Fabian Ruiz took advantage of an opportunity with brilliant footwork and doubled the lead

Record-breaking teenager Lamine Yamal dazzled down the right and Pedri flashed in with the kind of effervescence he had at Euro 2020. Morata answered doubters with the opening goal and Ruiz excelled alongside Rodri.

They were clinical in response to another mainstream criticism. And economical too. They scored three from four attempts on target in the first half.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon contributed with stunning saves in key moments, including a penalty save towards the end of the match against Bruno Petkovic amid a small cameo from Michael Oliver and his team of Premier League officials.

If Germany’s five goals against a weak Scotland were the first statement of intent, this was one that overshadowed it less than 24 hours later against the team that reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup and arrived in Germany on the back of a victory. against Portugal.

“A complete performance in every aspect against one of the best teams in the world,” said De La Fuente. “We pressed high really well and dug in and defended when we needed to. For such a young team, many of them at their first European Championship, it was impressive.

‘We must be satisfied, but remain calm. Our goal is still far away. Staying calm is strength.”

Croatia had their moments and enjoyed a late flourish as Spain returned home, but there would be no triumphant return to the Olympic Stadium for Luka Modric, who won his 176th cap at a venue where he was competing in a major tournament for the first time, the 2006 World Cup.

He was an unused substitute that day against Brazil and boss Dalic stood among the fans in the crowd. Yamal wasn’t even born yet.

At 16 years and 338 days, Yamal’s performance here made him the youngest to play in the European Championship final and he tormented Josko Gvardiol, who was deployed at left back, as he often was in his first season at Manchester City.

Dani Carvajal scored a third goal on the stroke of healing time as Spain cruised to victory

Bruno Petkovic thought he had secured a late consolation after his initial penalty was saved

But VAR ruled that Ivan Perisic, who assisted him on the rebound, had infringed the area

Spain started well and took control with two goals in three minutes. The first on 29 minutes by Morata, often ridiculed for his erratic finishing, but he collected a beautiful pass from Ruiz, drove clear on his left foot and produced a confident and clinical low finish. It was his 36th goal for his country.

The second blow came quickly. This time a smooth movement from right to left across the field instead of cutting Croatia down the middle. Yamal found Pedri who picked out Ruiz on his way outside the penalty area.

Ruiz shot past Modric and Marcelo Brozovic and shot early at goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. Simon made crucial saves after every opening goal. First from Mateo Kovacic and then from Brozovic.

But hopes of a comeback disappeared with the third. Yamal delivered a teasing inswinger with his left foot from the right flank, and Carvajal timed his run to score on the volley with the outside of his right boot.

Luka Modric (middle) and Co will have to dust themselves off for their match against Italy

There were doubts about Spain’s chances in a tough group, but Luis de la Fuente’s side have claimed the upper hand

Livakovic made a beautiful save from Yamal after a slick move and a beautifully balanced final pass from Pedri, before a series of substitutions and some late openings for Croatia followed.

Marc Cucurella made a vital block and Simon saved Petkovic’s penalty. Ivan Perisic pounced on the rebound and squared up for Petkovic who found the net, but Oliver’s VAR Stuart Attwell noticed Perisic drifting into the penalty area as the kick was taken.

The goal was disallowed and Croatia accepted their fate. “It was a great atmosphere,” Dalic said. ‘I thank them for their efforts and apologize for this show. It wasn’t a good start.’