Euro 2024 – Spain 3-0 Croatia: Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player in European Championship history during La Roja’s victory
Spain began their Euro 2024 campaign with an impressive 3-0 triumph over Group B rivals Croatia at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. The match was notably highlighted by Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who made history as the youngest player ever to participate in a European Championship at just 16 years and 338 days old.
Luis de la Fuente’s squad dominated the first half, scoring all three goals in a display of superior skill and teamwork. The opening goal was scored by captain Alvaro Morata, who capitalized on a precise through-ball from Fabian Ruiz, finishing confidently in a one-on-one situation. Moments later, Ruiz himself found the back of the net, showcasing his agility and finesse as he maneuvered through the Croatian defense to score the second goal.
Lamine Yamal was instrumental in the buildup to Ruiz’s goal and continued to make his mark by assisting the third goal. His superb cross was expertly converted by Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, who celebrated his first international goal. This came just two weeks after Carvajal’s remarkable performance in the Champions League final, further adding to his memorable season. Spain’s performance was a testament to their preparation and talent, setting a strong tone for their Euro 2024 journey.
Croatia, captained by the 38-year-old Luka Modric in his ninth major tournament, surprisingly maintained a greater share of possession compared to Spain. However, their defensive lapses were exploited mercilessly by the Spanish side. Despite controlling the ball more, Croatia struggled to convert their opportunities into goals, failing to capitalize on the chances they created at the other end of the pitch. This inefficiency, combined with their defensive errors, ultimately led to their downfall against a clinical Spanish team.
In the second half, Marc Cucurella made a crucial clearance, stopping a Josip Stanisic effort right on the goal line. Croatia continued to press and thought they had scored late in the match when substitute Bruno Petkovic won a penalty off Rodri after an error by Spain’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon. Petkovic’s penalty was saved by Simon, but he managed to score from the rebound. However, the goal was disallowed due to encroachment. This series of events underscored Croatia’s frustrations and missed opportunities despite their persistent efforts.