At the first opportunity, new national coach Luis de la Fuente led Spain to the title. Following European champions in Italy, La Roja also beat World Cup third-placed Croatia in the Nations League Final Four and thus entered the Nations League winners shortlist: after Portugal and France.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon blocked two Croatian chances

The Spaniards stopped the Croats in a penalty shootout, who last survived two playoffs by short decision at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Goalkeeper Unai Simon became the winner of the match. Athletic Bilbao Basque stopped the Croatian’s two attempts, allowing Daniel Carvajal to decide the outcome of the game. Shortly before this, Aymeric Laporte missed the first opportunity for the Spaniards to decide the outcome with a shot on the crossbar.

With a little more efficiency, Spain could have won their first title since UEFA EURO 2012 without delay. The Spaniards were more dangerous for 120 minutes. They had some good chances in extra time. Substitute Ansu Fati missed his best shot in the 84th minute when he fired from five meters into veteran Croatian national team Ivan Perisic, who saved his downed goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic on the goal line.

Croatia must keep waiting

Despite an outstanding midfield around captain Luka Modric, the Croats had no ideas. In his 166th international appearance, the former world footballer did not have as much impact as he did in the semi-final against the Netherlands. Experienced and combative, but without genius, Croatia was again not enough for the first title, which would have been deserved by the ensemble of the national coach Zlatko Dalic, who has consistently played at the highest level in recent years.

How great the desire of a small country for the crown of glory of this generation was shown not least by the stands of the De Cuyp stadium in Rotterdam, where about 40,000 Croatian fans gathered and created an atmosphere like in Zagreb. Now Croatia, second at the 2018 World Cup and third six months ago, will have to be patient. After all: despite his 37 years, Modric should still be at the next European Championship.

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Croatia – Spain 0:0 BC; Spain 5-4 win on penalties

Rotterdam. – SR Zweier (Germany). – Penalty shootout: Vlašić 1:0, Joselu 1:1; Brozovic 2-1, Rodri 2-2; Modric 3:2, Merino 3:3; Mayer – (Simon stops), Asensio 3:4; Perisic 4:4, Laporte – (latte); Petkovic – (Simon saves), Carvajal 4:5.

Croatia: Livakovic; Yuranovich (112. Stanisic), Sutalo, Erlich, Perisic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pashalic (61st Petkovic), Kramaric (91st Mayer), Ivanushets (78th Vlasic).

Spain: Simon; Navas (Carvajal, 97), Le Norman (Nacho Fernandez, 78), Laporte, Alba; Rodri, Ruiz (78th Merino); Asensio, Gavi (87th Olmo), Pino (66th Fati); Morata (66th Joselu).

Notes: 10. Livakovic crosses over to his post.

(ed./SDA)