Spain romp past Croatia in opener as Yamal makes Euros history

The three-time European champions have usually been accused of being toothless in assault throughout current main tournaments, however produced an attention-grabbing show on the Olympiastadion to chop aside a disappointing Croatia.

Morata broke the impasse within the twenty ninth minute together with his seventh Euros aim, shifting joint-third on the all-time record alongside Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.

Fabian Ruiz added a second shortly afterwards with a beautiful particular person strike.

Yamal made his mark with the help for Dani Carvajal to successfully kill the sport as a contest on the stroke of half-time, whereas Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic missed a late penalty.

“Very happy with the win, for my (Euros) debut,” Yamal advised La 1.

“We’ve got confidence, we’re a very efficient team and we’re showing it. We’re happy because all the work from the last few months has borne fruit.”

This repeat of final yr’s Nations League closing, gained by Spain on penalties after a 0-0 draw, suggests La Roja are able to contending for a record-breaking fourth European Championship title.

World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, although, have all of it to do if they’re to succeed in the knockout part for a fifth consecutive main event, with video games towards Albania and holders Italy to come back in a tough Group B.

Luka Modric, so usually their inspiration, was substituted halfway by the second half by coach Zlatko Dalic.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente named an thrilling beginning XI, together with wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.

The Barcelona starlet, 16 years and 338 days outdated, beat the earlier file for youngest participant at a Euros held by Polish worldwide Kacper Kozlowski, who performed at Euro 2020 at 17 years and 246 days outdated.

“We are very proud to have Lamine Yamal, he’s got so much football left to show,” stated Ruiz.

Croatia’s subdued begin

Croatia loved the overwhelming majority of help from the stands, with their followers holding up one enormous banner throughout their nationwide anthem, studying “When we get going, heaven and earth will burn”.

But Croatia began slowly, as Spain dominated possession in trademark trend.

Spain additionally confirmed their growing versatility below De la Fuente with their first aim, as one wonderful by ball from inside his personal half by Ruiz despatched Morata clear by and the captain made no mistake with a cool end previous a stranded Dominik Livakovic.

Ruiz put Spain in whole management simply three minutes later, jinking previous two Croatia defenders contained in the field earlier than taking pictures by the legs of Josip Sutalo and into the underside nook.

Croatia virtually pulled one again instantly as the sport began to echo the end-to-end nature of the 2 groups’ thrilling last-16 conflict at Euro 2020, gained 5-3 by Spain after further time.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon obtained down shortly to maintain out Marcelo Brozovic’s shot and Lovro Majer may solely discover the side-netting from the rebound.

Croatia continued to create probabilities, as Josko Gvardiol’s cross-cum-shot narrowly prevented each Ante Budimir within the centre and the far publish.

But full-back Carvajal, who scored the opening aim in Real Madrid’s Champions League closing overcome Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, put the sport to mattress in first-half added time.

Yamal collected the ball after a nook was cleared and curled a scrumptious cross into the center for Carvajal to stretch and stab dwelling his first worldwide aim on the volley.

Yamal was denied one other file for youngest Euros scorer when Livakovic produced a superb save to show away his low effort early within the second half.

Marc Cucurella, a controversial choice by De la Fuente at left-back, made a goal-saving block to stop Josip Stanisic giving Croatia hope.

Substitute Petkovic thought he had pulled one again late on when he tapped in after his penalty was saved by Simon.

But the aim was dominated out by VAR for encroachment by Ivan Perisic as Spain added a clear sheet to an virtually good outing.