Liveticker | Spain - Croatia

Matchday 1

FINAL

Olympiastadion Berlin

Croatia

CarvajalDani Carvajal

45' + 2'

RuizFabián Ruiz

32'

MorataAlvaro Morata

29'

M. Oliver

Olympiastadion Berlin

Budimir humble in defeat.

"We have to go for Wednesday, it's our final, our key match. Anyone who knows Spain well knows the talent they have. the style of football they have, the culture... They have been training for this since they were little, it is very difficult to play against them."

Penny for Yamal's thoughts

"Very happy for the victory, for the debut and to think about the next game. In the end the team wants to play inside and I am here to help the team, defend, whatever it takes. We are a very effective team because the work of all these months has been seen today."

Full-time: Spain 3-0 Croatia

Three first-half goals were enough in the end for de la Fuente's Spain who didn't really have to get out of second gear in the second half - Croatia will wonder what may have been had they taken their chances. A more clinical display and this result may have been entirely different.

Full-time

Nearing the end

We are minutes away from full-time, but this game has been done for a good while now. Spain doing their bit to protect the clean sheet in the closing minutes and Croatia ending the game on a low after failing to capitalise on their highs during the 90 mins.

86'

Substitution

Martin Zubimendi

Rodri

86'

Substitution

Ferrán Torres

Lamine Yamal

85'

Perišić testing Spain's waters time and again

The Croatia veteran has done everything in his power to pull Croatia back into the game, already leading in shot attempts, but despite his considerable impact, Spain's defence remains largely unharmed in these late stages.

Shots

Alvaro Morata Ivan Perišić

81'

Goal rescinded

Petkovic's goal is chalked off another VAR check, with the referee arguing that Croatia players encroached the penalty spot which gives Spain an indirect free kick. It remains 3-0.

80'

Penalty missed!

Taker:

Bruno Petkovic

79'

Petkovic converts from the spot.. or does he?

VAR rules in favour of Croatia after Rodri was deemed to have fouled Petkovic in the box, the forward's penalty is saved initially by Simon but he converts a perfectly placed cutback cross into his path. Is it too little too late for Croatia?

78'

Yellow card

Rodri

72'

Substitution

Bruno Petkovic

Andrej Kramarić

Olmo keen to make an impression

The Leipzig man has had to contend for a place on the bench today, but looks keen to make an instant impact. So far, Stanišić has kept him in check.

68'

Croatia lacking a number nine

Perišić has managed to get into good crossing positions since coming on but ironically, Croatia are now lacking a proper number nine to service those crosses, something that Budimir could have provided.

68'

Substitution

Mikel Merino

Nico Williams

67'

Fresh legs necessary

The game was in need of fresh legs and both managers have decided to respond, with El Mago Dani Olmo the pick of the bunch.

67'

Substitution

Mikel Oyarzabal

Alvaro Morata

65'

Substitution

Mario Pasalic

Luka Modric

65'

Substitution

Luka Sucic

Mateo Kovacic

59'

Substitution

Dani Olmo

Pedri

57'

Dalić calls on experience

The crowd livens up to give a warm welcome to former Bundesliga icon Ivan Perišić who replaces Budimir.

56'

Substitution

Ivan Perišić

Ante Budimir

55'

Missed opportunities for Croatia again

Both Stanišić and Kramarić are denied clear cut opportunities in front of the Spain goal after an almost pinball-like sequence inside Simon's penalty area. Still 3-0.

End-to-end action

This game has picked up momentum with chances to score at both ends, Yamal coming close for Spain and Croatia almost manufacturing a chance of their own at the other end through Majer.

46'

Second half begins

Goalscorer Morata gets us underway for the second 45. With Spain looking to continue where they left off.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Spain 3-0 Croatia

It has been a half of utter domination from de la Fuente's men. They have been clinical with their best chances and the same cannot be said of Croatia who have grown into the game after recovering from a poor start but it looks like a tall order to get anything from here.

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Carvajal makes it three!

And what a time to score as well, once again, when it feels like Croatia have built some momentum, de le Fuente's Spain find their shooting boots again, this time it's Carvajal who attacks a superb cross from Lamine Yamal to make it 3-0.

45'

+ 2

Dani Carvajal

GOAL!

3:0

45'

Kramarić shoots from range

A shot seemingly borne of frustration more than anything else, Kramarić looks to test Simón from range but fires well wide from almost 30 yards.

41'

Budimir can't tap it in!

The first real clear chance Croatia have had so far and it's Modric once again at the heart of the move, who finds Hoffenheim star Kramaric in space in midfield, he links with Majer and Gvardiol to set up Budimir for the perfect tap in but he fails to make contact.

40'

Clinical Spain benefitting

Croatia will feel hard done by being 2-0 down as we approach half-time, they've not been terrible by any means, however, Spain have just been clinical with their chances whereas Croatia are yet to get a clear sight at goal.

34'

Majer hits the side-netting

Once again, Croatia have the opportunity to respond to going down immediately, but Woflsburg midfielder Majer hits the side netting from inside the box after the ball fell to him via a deflected shot.

32'

Fabián special!

Fabián gets a quickfire second for Spain after terrific work from Yamal to retain the ball around the Croatia box then Ruiz does the rest, conjuring the second with some incredible footwork.

32'

Fabián Ruiz

GOAL!

2:0

30'

Croatia looking to respond with immediacy

Dalić's Croatian side looking to respond immediately - they manage to construct an excellent passing sequence find Kovačić in space but his end-product is a let-down ultimately.

29'

Morata opens the scoring!

A goal that feels hugely against the run of play given Croatia's dominance on the ball - all it took was a simple through-ball down the middle and a composed finish from captain Morata to give the Spaniards the lead they were looking for. A superb assist from Fabian.

29'

Alvaro Morata

GOAL!

1:0

Croatia's defenders key to ball progression

Croatia's centre backs have been able to carry the ball up the pitch better now that Spain's press has dropped off - the likes of Pongračić are comfortably roaming into midfield positions to help aid ball progression.

22'

Spain on the backfoot

Croatia's growing confidence has seen Spain's own dominance diminish a little bit in the last 10-15 minutes, with Budimir nearly racing on to the end of two passes into the box, back to back.

15'

Croatia growing into the game

After a period of sustained pressure from Spain, Croatia finally have some possession of their own and manage to force a clearance from Unai Simón outside the Spanish penalty area.

12'

Catching Croatia out

That's the second time Spain have caught out Croatia whilst they attempt to play out from the back, a Yamal foul breaks a potentially useful period of pressure from La Roja.

Croatia possession struggles so far

Spain's dominant style on the ball and aggression off of it has left Croatia scraping the bottom of the barrel for any semblance of control. They've done well to endure the Spanish pressure thus far.

Morata registers shot on target

Atletico Madrid man Morata registers Spain's first shot on target from range, a comfortable save for Livaković in the Croatia goal.

Intricate Spanish moves

Lamine Yamal seeing plenty of the ball on the right hand side, with Spain using him as the creative outlet to combine with the likes of Pedri and Morata, in and around the box.

Croatia going direct

Dalić's side looking to go direct from the back, using the height and physicality of Budimir to hold up the ball and bring their more talented players into the game.

Spain start in control

De La Fuente's men looking to stablish control of the ball early in the proceedings, getting plenty of passes around Croatia's block.

Kick-off!

Croatia captain Luka Modrić gets us underway in Berlin.

Kick-off!

The Olympiastadion in all its glory

The stage is set for this clash of European heavyweights.

Senior statesman Perišić

Zlatko Dalić can rely on the ever-present utility man for the big tournaments, Ivan Perišić, who is now entering his seventh major international tournament with Croatia.

Positive La Roja vibes

Fans building a great atmosphere ahead of kick-off.

1:03

The best of Stanišić from 2023-24

After a blistering season on loan at Leverkusen during the 2023-24 campaign, Stanišić looks primed for a fine Euro 2024.

2:05

The best of Grimaldo from 2023-24

In case you needed a reminder of what Grimaldo can offer from the bench.

Grimaldo and co. ready for the show

Both sides have arrived at a sunny Olympiastadion, the weather looking perfect for what should be a box-office tie.

Croatia starting XI

Livaković - Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol - Kovačić, Modrić, Brozović - Majer, Budimir, Kramarić

De la Fuente's starting XI

Unai Simon - Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella - Pedri, Rodrigo, Fabian - Yamal, Morata, Williams Jr

Advantage Spain?

This exact match-up was also the final of the most recent edition of the UEFA Nations League, where Luis de la Fuente's men emerged victorious. Will they repeat that feat today?

5:39

Watch: The best goals and skills of Andrej Kramarić in the Bundesliga

In Andrej Kramarić, Croatia have their own magic man who has been dazzling Bundesliga defences in TSG Hoffenheim colours for a while.

1:02

Watch: All Dani Olmo Goals and Assists from 2023/24

Spain will have their hands full against Croatia today but with RB Leipzig's El Mago Dani Olmo in their ranks, magic is guaranteed.

Bundesliga interest

In the red corner, Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen) and Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig). In the checkered corner, Josip Stanišić (Bayer Leverkusen), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin) and Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg). This will be tasty!

2:22

Watch: The venue

Berlin's Olympic Stadium plays host to a real heavyweight group game. Take a look around the German capital's magnificent abode...

Welcome!

Take in all of the build-up and live action as Spain face Croatia in Berlin!