Spain vs Croatia: The three-time European champions Spain have kicked off their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign with a 3-0 game over Luka Modric and co. Dominating the game since the start, captain Alvaro Morata put La Roja ahead in the first half. It took Fabian Ruiz just three minutes to double it. Spain were all set to head into the break with two two-goal lead, but Dani Carvajal added yet another. Becoming the youngest player to play in UEFA Euro, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal left the entire arena impressed with his performance. While Croatia looked to have pulled a goal back by Bruno Petkovic it was disallowed,
16-year-old Lamine Yamal drops stellar performance
Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to have played in the UEFA Euro game as Spain started their campaign with a win. Yamal has had a fantastic start to his international career since making his debut late last year under Luis De La Fuente, with two goals and two assists in six matches. The 16-year-old kept the momentum as dropped a stellar performance.
Not only was he a stand-out presence on the right flank but Yamal also assisted the third goal from Dani Carvajal. Yamal took his time bending a cross towards the goal that Carvajal poked beyond Livakovic for his first Spain goal. He was well on his way to becoming the youngest scorer ever in the Euro Cup but was denied from a close range by Livakovic. However, Yamal showed how good he can be and how much he can impact the game.
Fabian Ruiz, Alvaro Morata find net for Spain
Captain Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Spain as they went onto claim three points against giant killers Spain. A brilliant cross from PSG forward Fabian Ruiz gave La Roja the opening that they needed. However, the provider turned scorer within three minutes to double the lead as Croatia were left stunned. Dani Carvajal then extended the lead as Spain went into the break with a three-goal advantage.
A game of near misses for Croatia
Despite starting poorly. Luka Modric and co steadily made their way into the game. However, finishing woes, couple with luck left Croatia with nothing. Coming out in the second half, trailing by 3 goals, Croatia amped up their performance, but narrowly missed on finding the net. Be it Cucurella’s narrow clearance to Kovacic’s attempt or the superb saved by Unai Simon, Croats were kept at bay,
The 2018 World Cup runners thought they finally had their chance when Petkovic was awarded a penalty in the 80th minute following Rodri’s challenge which was saved by Unai Simon, However, Petkovic was quick enough to score from the rebound only for it to be disallowed after Perisic was deemed to have been guilty of encroachment.