Spain make history. Luis de la Fuente’s team was declared champion of the League of Nations in the penalty shootout. Carvajal scored the final one in a match where La Roja undeservedly suffered so much. But finally justice was done. The fatal point left the Spaniards in the last Euro Cup and the last World Cup, but in Rotterdam it led them to glory. First League of Nations for Spain, which already has a specific clover -along with the World Cup and Euro Cup-, equal to the success of France.
Louis of Source, who went from questionable to historic coach in just four games, had many doubts in the eleven. Finally only two changes compared to Italy. Asensio came on for Rodrigo Moreno, held, and Fabián for Mikel Merino. The attitude at the start was like in the semis, pressing up, biting and trying to scare Croatia and the more than 35,000 Croats who filled De Kuip.
Spain He started two first times in about ten minutes. La Roja, unlike the first game in Enschede, found themselves more comfortable on the left, with Jordi Alba, Fabián and Yeremy. Exactly after a center shot from the Andalusian came the first chance. Livakovic He was surprised but between him and the stick they saved the goal. The rejection was for Morata, but he couldn’t connect and the goalkeeper corrected his mistake.
A few moments later he had Gavi, who returned to play as a midfielder, with freedom and surprise. The opponent’s teeth are really hurting because they don’t know where the Barça international will come from. High pressure, steal at the top of the area, but his low shot goes a little wide.
At this point in the season and in two consecutive games, Spain has shown little wear and tear. Croatiacalm and faithful to his idea of the game, reappeared as the minutes passed, also supported by his fans who made them feel in Rotterdam as if they were playing in Zagreb.
Kramaric he had his first big chance, after completing 40 meters towards the goal alone. chased him report, reserved by putting his foot down at the last moment. The Balkans found an opening on the left and Perisic, who played at wingback, put his boots on in the first half. First to take crosses that, fortunately for Spain, did not find a finisher and then finish with two almost identical headers that forced Unai Simón to intervene.
Before the break, Spain also tried to react on their left wing. sunrise He started off his line and crossed for Morata, at the near post, to finish high before the intermission.
Croatia he changed the speed and went up after the restart. Unai Simón had to dominate from above to get Adriatic crosses from both sides and with a ball that remained dead, Juranovic, who joined the attack on the right, also fired in a cross.
Rodri is MVP again
But Rodriagain MVP, took responsibility. Gavi, pure honor, began a transition from right to left, passing the City midfielder who gave him rhythm. The wall between Yeremy and Alba and the captain hit the umpteenth measured center. This time, the header is from Asensio and it goes over the crossbar.
Croatia He managed to make La Roja uncomfortable by disrupting the game. The party is heating up, as are the stands and the From the origin they need a reaction. I got Rodri, who already visualized the script of this match in his previous analysis at a press conference, and took a whiplash from 30 meters from his hat that licked the post. A blow on the table to wake up his team and alert the enemy.
Spain He believed in the last quarter of regulation for an hour. Ansu, who entered through Pino, began to do damage on the left. Snatch and personal action in two minutes. The Catalan’s shot rebounded and Asensio caught it inside the area, but his chipped shot went wide in another good Spanish chance.
Forgive Ansu and Olmo
The Spanish team dominated and the best chance of the match was for Ansu Fati. Again from the left, this time the center back is Mikel Merino. The azulgrana, on the penalty spot, used instinct. He stopped and shot with intent, but Perisic kept the goal-line goal clear.
Across Spain deserved the title, the match went to extra time. It seems that the Croats were very physically touched but their experience was of a degree. A team that has played 10 overtimes since Russia 2018, seven of which ended in their favor.
In overtime, Elm He is the offensive opponent. Terrassa has forgiven twice. A free shot, of those who like it. But he impaled him in the boat early in front and he climbed before the change of pitch. After resuming play, another similar action, but inside the area and his volley goes out, to the left of Livakovic. Rodri got it too, with a shot that beat a defender and almost went in.
The penalty shootout, how about otherwise, is a heart attack. First he made a mistake major, report he missed the shot to win and in the tiebreak Unai cleared Petkovic’s shot. Carvajal scored the sixth to crown La Roja.
Croatia (4)
00
spain (5)
Croatia:Livakovic; Juranovic (Stanisic, 112′), Sutalo, Erlic, Perisic; Brozovic, Modric, Kovacic; Pasalic (Petkovic, 61′), Kramaric (Majer, 90′), Ivanusec (Vlasic, 77′)
Spain: First Simon; Jesús Navas (Carvajal, 96′), Le Normand (Nacho, 77′), Laporte, Jordi Alba; Rodrigo, Fabián Ruiz (Mikel Merino, 77′); Marco Asensio, Gavi (Dani Olmo, , Yeremy (Ansu Fati, 65′), Morata (Joselu, 65′)
the objectives: Nothing.
Penalties: 1-0, Vlasic. 1-1, Joselu. 2-1, Brozovich. 2-2, Rodri. 3-2, Modric. 3-3, Mikel Merino. 3-3, Majer missed. 3-4, Asensio. 4-4, Perisic. 4-4, Laporte fails. 4-4, Petkovic fails. 4-5, Carvajal.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany). He advised Gavi (77′), Nacho (95′), Rodri (97′)
Stadium: About 50,000 at De Kuip in Rotterdam
see the match sheet
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
