Spain opened their Euro 2024 group B campaign by making easy work of Croatia, winning 3-0 in Berlin on Saturday.
Fabian Ruiz set up captain Alvaro Morata in the 29th minute for Spain's first. Three minutes later, Ruiz doubled the tally after the PSG midfielder got past three players. Dani Carvajal then volleyed in a cross from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player to appear at the Euros, just before the break.
Croatia were awarded a penalty 12 minutes from time. Bruno Petkovic saw his spot-kick saved by Unai Simon. Ivan Perisic cut the loose ball back for Petkovic to tap in, but the goal was ruled out for encroachment by Perisic into the area. The match ended 3-0, and Spain confirmed their status as title contenders. Both coaches said the score was a fair refection of the game.
Croatia's Luka Modric #10 covers his face while Spanish players celebrate a goal during the Euro 2024 Group B opener in Berlin, Germany, June 15, 2024. /CFP
"We started well, this victory boosts our morale in terms of confidence and tranquillity. We also know that in five days there is a very important match against Italy waiting for us, and we are already thinking about Italy," said Spanish coach Luis De la Fuente.
"We weren't aggressive enough, we were too far from the players, we were giving them a lot of space. When you give to such good players so much space, you don't have so many chances. We were too far especially in the first half. We were giving them space sometimes in both sides, to Williams, to Morata, to Yamal – this was the first problem. We were too slow, too far from the players and the aggression was lacking," Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic reflected afterwards.
In other action on Saturday, Albania's Nedim Baj-rami scored after 23 seconds against Italy in Dortmund for the fastest goal ever at a European Championships. But Italy recovered to win 2-1 in the other match in group B. And group A saw Switzerland claim a commanding 3-1 victory over Hungary in Cologne.