BERLIN: Spain made a dream start to Euro 2024 as Alvaro Morata scored in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin and Lamine Yamal became the youngest player in the competition’s history.
The three-time European champions have often been accused of being toothless in attack at recent major tournaments, but their performance at the Olympiastadion was eye-catching and demolished disappointing Croatia.
Morata broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with his seventh Euro goal, moving him into third place on the all-time scoring list along with Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.
Shortly afterwards, Fabian Ruiz added a second with a brilliant individual strike.
Yamal made his mark with an assist from Dani Carvajal, who effectively ended the match after the first half, and Croatian striker Bruno Petkovic missed a penalty kick at the end.
A repeat of last year’s Nations League final, which Spain won on penalties after a 0-0 draw, suggests that La Roja is capable of challenging for a record fourth European title.
World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, however, have everything to do if they are to reach the knockout stages for a fifth consecutive major tournament, with matches against Albania and defending champions Italy in a tough Group B.
Luka Modric, who was often their inspiration, was replaced by coach Zlatko Dalić midway through the second half.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente named an exciting starting XI that included wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.
The Barcelona star, aged 16 years and 338 days, broke the previous record for the youngest player at the European Championships held by Polish representative Kacper Kozłowski, who played at Euro 2020 at the age of 17 years and 246 days.
Croatia enjoyed the vast majority of support from the stands, with their fans holding up one large banner during the national anthem that read: “When we leave, heaven and earth will burn.”
Croatia started slowly, however, as Spain characteristically dominated possession.
Spain also showed their growing versatility under De la Fuente with their first goal when one excellent pass from Ruiz from inside their own half sent Morata straight through to goal, and the captain made no mistake with a brilliant finish past Dominik Livakovic.
Just three minutes later, Ruiz put Spain in complete control as he passed two Croatian defenders in the box before hitting the legs of Josip Sutalo and curling into the bottom corner.
Croatia pulled one goal back almost immediately as the match began to reflect the nature of the teams’ exciting Euro 2020 round of 16 clash, which Spain won 5-3 after extra time.
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon quickly went down to block Marcelo Brozovic’s shot, and Lovro Majer only hit the side net after the rebound.
Croatia continued to create chances and Josko Gvardiol’s cross shot narrowly missed both Ante Budimir inside and at the far post.
But defender Carvajal, who scored the first goal in Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, put an end to the match in first-half stoppage time.
Yamal took the ball after a corner kick and curled a brilliant cross into midfield, with Carvajal stretching and volleying.
Croatia tried to attack early in the second period but left Spain with space to exploit and Yamal was denied another record for youngest Euro goalscorer when Livakovic made a superb save to turn away his weak attack.
Marc Cucurella, De la Fuente’s controversial choice at left-back, made a blocking save that allowed Josip Stanisic to give Croatia no hope.
Substitute Petkovic thought he had a shot late on after Simon saved a penalty.
However, the goal was ruled out by VAR due to Ivan Perisic’s interference, and Spain kept a clean sheet in a near-perfect match.
