Spain, champion of the League of Nations News

MADRID, 18 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish soccer team was proclaimed the new League of Nations champion this Sunday by defeating a combative Croatia in a penalty shootout, with which they drew goalless in the final played at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and before which he ended eleven years without savoring a title.

Once again, Spain had to fight to the end against the Croats, as always irreducible and competitive with their weapons. After a balanced match, where he did not shine and where he could only feel superior in the final stretch of regulation time and in extra time, he was not able to score a goal and in the end he went to penalties, whose last shootouts, in Qatar and in the EURO, had been unfortunate memories.

But this time glory awaited the three-time European champion. Unai Simón saved two maximum penalties and Dani Carvajal, à la Panenka, left Aymeric Laporte's ruling that lengthened the wait to nothing. After closing a historic treble in 2012, the 'Red' raised a new cup, the fifth in its history in a major competition after the 2010 World Cup and the three EUROs (1964, 2008 and 2012), and a reinforcement for Luis de la Source for the future.

The coach from La Rioja did not rotate too much to fight for the title and only Fabian Ruiz and Marco Asensio were his novelties. The PSG midfielder stood next to Rodri Hernández, but he was very aware that Luka Modric did not play comfortably. Dalic replied with Mateo Kovacic near the Manchester City midfielder to try to short-circuit the game of the three-time continental champion.

This started better, taking possession and with strong pressure that did not allow his rival to be suffocated at times. Thus came his only, and best, chance of the first 45 minutes, with Gavi stealing at the start from Livakovic, but missing his shot. Spain could not give continuity to this start and Croatia was little by little taking the pulse of the clash.

Despite not finding their '10' in danger zones, the Croats also gave Unai Simón a bit of a scare, especially with a long ball behind Le Normand and Laporte that Kramaric, although he came to stand alone in front of the goalkeeper from Athletic Club, he did not take advantage of being hindered by the City center-back who ended up sending the ball to a corner kick.

The Balkan team did not threaten much more, except for a couple of headers from Perisic, while Spain was not able to disturb Livakovic either, with little Asensio, more active in the final stretch, Yéremi Pino and Álvaro Morata, who on this occasion did not he was able to play as well with his back to goal as in the semifinal against Italy.

In any case, De la Fuente did not change anything in the second 45 minutes in which the first scare came from Dalic, with a shot that was too cross from the full-back Juranovic after a good cross from Perisic and a somewhat erratic start from Unai Simon. Spain had a hard time creating, but he responded with a header from Asensio after a good collective play and a cross from Jordi Alba, a mirage because it was the physically powerful Croatians who were the ones who squeezed and prowled the Spanish area the most.

After a powerful shot from Rodri that went near the post, De la Fuente then decided to move the bench with the entry of more offensive bite with Ansu Fati and Joselu for Pino and Morata, respectively. Croatia decided to loosen up their initial rhythm somewhat and preferred to gather closer to Livakovic to try to surprise in some transition.

And this step back caused Spain to take control for the final stretch of the match. Ansu Fati, after another good play on the left side, had the best of the game, but his shot took him out under Perisic's sticks. Asensio, with his right, shot too cross in another good option and the final went to extra time.

In extra time, Croatia recovered some energy, but could not escape the greater dominance of the Spanish team, which was the one that had the best chances, both by Dani Olmo, seeking to avoid a penalty shootout that this time smiled to return to savor a title.

DATASHEET.

--RESULT: CROATIA, 0 - SPAIN, 0.

--ALIGNMENTS.

CROACIA: Livakovic; Juranovic (Stanisic, min.112), Sutalo, Erlic, Perisic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic (Petkovic, min.62), Kramaric (Majer, min.91) e Ivanusec (Vlasic, min.78).

SPAIN: Unai Simón; Navas (Carvajal, min.97), Le Normand (Nacho, min.78), Laporte, Jordi Alba; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz (Merino, min.78); Asensio, Gavi (Olmo, min.87), Pino (Ansu Fati, min.66); and Morata (Joselu, min.66).

-- SIGNS OF DE PENALTIES.

1-0: Vlasic.

1-1: Joselu.

2-1: Brozovic.

2-2: Rodri.

3-2: Modric.

3-3: Merino.

3-3: Majer fails.

3-4: Asensio.

4-4: Perisic.

4-4: Falla Petkovic.

4-5: Carvajal.