Fabian Ruiz produced a goal and assist as Spain beat Croatia 3-0 in Group B’s opening match at UEFA Euro 2024.
Alvaro Morata fired Spain ahead from a 29th minute through-ball by Ruiz, and the latter went on to add their second goal three minutes later with a calm strike.
Dani Carvajal wrapped up victory in the second minute of first-half injury-time after he turned Lamine Yamal’s cross into Croatia’s net.
Croatia pulled a goal back in the 80th minute as Bruno Petkovic swept in on the rebound following his penalty being saved by Unai Simon, but the goal was disallowed due to encroachment by his teammates.
Spain sit top of Group B ahead of Italy who beat Albania 2-1 through comeback goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella, having fallen behind after 23 seconds to Nedim Bajrami’s goal.
Spain will next face Italy on Thursday 20 June at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time) in a blockbuster clash, whilst Croatia meet Albania at 3pm CEST (2pm UK Time) on Wednesday 19 June.
Elsewhere Switzerland saw off Hungary 3-1 in Group A as Kwadwo Duah, Michel Aebischer and Breel Embolo found the net, whilst Barnabas Vargas briefly reduced Hungary’s deficit.
Stuck in a difficult group with reigning champions – Italy, plus Albania, Spain and Croatia knew that this game would be an early crucial game in their bid to avoid a shock Group Stage exit.
Spain however quickly established control of the game as Morata and Lamine Yamal saw shots saved by Dominik Livakovic in the opening 28 minutes.
Croatia’s resilient defence eventually was ripped open by a 29th through ball from Ruiz which fell for Morata to rifle in under Livakovic to put the two-time champions in front.
Spain further extended their lead three minutes later and nice quick play of passages eventually found Pedri, from which the Barcelona midfielder, teed up Ruiz to smash in their second goal albeit via a minor deflection from Josip Sutalo.
Croatia however weren’t too panicked and one minute later, the 2022 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists broke forward and Marcelo Brozovic saw his shot blocked by Simon but Lovro Majer lashed his rebound shot wide into the side-netting.
Spain soon were lucky to keep their clean sheet into half-time after Josko Gvardiol’s 41st minute hit across the six-yard box evaded Ante Budimir at the right-post for a simple tap-in opportunity.
Mateo Kovacic curled over in the first minute of first-half injury-time for Croatia who couldn’t pull a goal back before the break.
Those missed chances for Croatia were eventually punished in the second minute of additional time as 16 year-old Yamal whipped in a cross, which found Carvajal unmarked to poke in to give La Roja a three-goal lead into half-time.
Neither team made any changes at half-time but Croatia enjoyed a more confident start to the second-half but Gvardiol’s 51st minute shot was blocked.
Yamal one minute later was denied the chance to become the youngest-ever goalscorer at an Euro tournament, with his shot denied by Livakovic’s right-handed deflection.
Marc Cucurella spared Spain’s blushes with a 55th minute blockage of Brozovic’s shot following a Croatian pinball inside the box.
Croatia were handed a late lifeline after Rodri fouled substitute, Bruno Petkovic in the 78th minute which referee – Michael Oliver ruled a penalty, but Petkovic’s penalty was saved by Simon who dived correctly to his right.
The ball however fell for substitute, Ivan Perisic to cut back for Petkovic to fire in on the rebound to reduce Croatia’s deficit, but the goal was disallowed due to encroachment by various Croatian players.
Spain ultimately clung on to take a comfortable win ahead of their blockbuster clash against Italy, who they lost to on penalties in the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020.
Teams
Spain – Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Nacho, Marco Cucurella, Pedri (Olmo 59′), Rodri (Zubimendi 86′), Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal (Torres 86′), Alvaro Morata (Oyarzabal 67′), Nico Williams (Merino 68′)
Substitutes: David Raya, Daniel Vivian, Mikel Merino, Joselu, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Alex Grimaldo, Alex Remiro, Aymeric Laporte, Alex Baena, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Oyarzabal, Jesus Navas, Fermin Lopez, Ayoze Perez
Croatia – Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo, Lovro Majer, Mateo Kovacic (Sucic 65′), Andrej Kramaric (Petkovic 72′), Luka Modric (Mario Pasalic 65′), Marcelo Brozovic, Ante Budimir (Perisic 56′)
Substitutes: Nediljko Labrovic, Ivica Ivusic, Martin Erlic, Nikola Vlasic, Ivan Perisic, Mario Pasalic, Bruno Petkovic, Luka Ivanusec, Borna Sosa, Marko Pjaca, Domagoj Vida, Josip Juranovic, Marco Pasalic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina
Referee – Michael Oliver (England)
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