BERLIN: Spain got their UEFA EURO 2024 campaign off to a flying start as first-half goals from Álvaro Morata, Fabián Ruiz and Dani Carvajal secured a 3-0 win against Croatia in Berlin to open Group B.
With these two sides facing each other in a fourth consecutive EURO finals, it was Spain who triumphed for a third time against familiar opponents with a ruthless and slick attacking display.
After dominating the early stages, La Roja took the lead 29 minutes in, Fabián Ruiz threading a wonderful pinpoint pass through to Álvaro Morata, who made no mistake to coolly finish for his seventh EURO finals goal for his country, three of them coming against Croatia.
Just minutes later, Fabián Ruiz went from provider to scorer, twisting and turning in the box before firing into the bottom-right corner to put Spain in total control.
Croatia responded well to that quickfire double, Joško Gvardiol stinging the fingertips of Unai Simón and Ante Budimir mere centimetres away from getting on the end of the rebound.
But Sp
ain’s 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to ever feature at a EURO, and it was the teenager who created his side’s third goal just before half-time, his wicked cross turned in by Champions League final scorer Dani Carvajal to cap off a superb first period from Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Yamal was in the thick of the action again at the start of the second half, with only a brilliant reflex save from Dominik Livakovic denying him the honour of also becoming the youngest EURO scorer.
Croatia were handed a lifeline when Rodri brought down substitute Bruno Petkovic in the box with ten minutes to go, but Simón guessed correctly to dive to his right and save the forward’s effort from the spot.
Source: Emirates News Agency