Spain beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties to clinch Nations League glory as they celebrated their first trophy win since Euro 2012.
Substitute Dani Carvajal converted the winning spot-kick with a Panenka after the game had finished goalless after extra-time, giving head coach Luis de la Fuente, only appointed Luis Enrique’s successor in December, a trophy-winning start to his tenure.
Croatia, World Cup finalists in 2018 and third-placed finishers in Qatar last year, were hoping to lift their first trophy but could not find a way to goal across the 120 minutes despite the best efforts of Luka Modric, with substitutes Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic then seeing their penalties saved by Unai Simon in the shootout.
It was a heartbreaking outcome for serial overachievers Croatia, who, four days on from their extra-time win over the Netherlands in the semis, once again fall painfully short of a historic triumph.Spain started promisingly despite the whistles of the Croatia fans who dominated the arena, both in number and sound, with Alvaro Morata almost pouncing on a spill by Dominik Livakovic and Gavi shooting just past the post.
But Croatia grew into the game and soon they were exploiting Spain’s high defensive line, with Andrej Kramaric bursting through on goal, only to have his shot blocked by Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte following an outstanding recovery run.
As always, many of their best moments came through the evergreen Modric, who twice crossed for the marauding Ivan Perisic to head at goal, forcing saves from Simon on each occasion.
Croatia’s direct approach was causing problems for Spain and, up at the other end, De la Fuente’s side found it more difficult to break their compact and well-drilled opponents down.
Jordi Alba looked their most likely route to goal, the left-back producing fine crosses for Morata and Marco Asensio either side of half-time, but both players headed over.
Perisic created half-chances for Josip Juranovic and Mario Pasalic, but the tempo slowed as the second half wore on and soon Spain were looking the more likely victors.
Rodri sent a vicious long-range effort narrowly wide, but the best opportunity fell to Ansu Fati, whose low effort, from fellow substitute Mikel Merino’s cut-back, was hacked off the line by Perisic.
Source: Sky sports
In other news-Kourtney Kardashian shares first baby bump photos
Kourtney Kardashian, 44, has shared her very first baby bump photos since announcing she’s expecting her first baby with husband Travis Barker, 47! The Lemme founder wore a fitted mesh bodysuit to show off her tummy as the Blink 182 member held onto his drumsticks and pretended to play on the bump in the post made on Sunday, June 18. In the next, Travis sweetly bent down and kissed her belly, followed by two others where they kissed and embraced.
“Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for God’s blessing and plan,” Kourtney penned in the caption. The Hulu reality star announced that she was expecting her fourth child — and first with Travis — via Instagram on Friday, June 16 when she shared a video of her holding a sign saying, “Travis I’m Pregnant” in the audience of Blink 182’s Los Angeles show. Read more
