Dani Carvajal converted the winning penalty as Spain completed a 5-4 shoot-out win over Croatia to claim victory in the third Nations League final after extra-time saw an absorbing match finish goalless in Rotterdam.
Bruno Petkovic saw his penalty saved by Unai Simon in the Spain goal at De Kuip before the Real Madrid player kept his cool to audaciously slot the ball down the centre as Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was sent spinning the wrong way.
The dramatic finale denied Luka Modric the chance of a first major trophy for Croatia on his record 166th appearance for his country, with Spain joining Portugal and France as winners of the Nations League.
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Both sides had chances throughout the contest with Ansu Fati going closest for Spain in seeing an effort knocked off the line by the outstanding Ivan Perisic in the closing moments of the 90 minutes.
Spain celebrate a first international trophy since winning Euro 2012 and join France in becoming only the second nation to lift the World Cup, European Championship and Nations League. France defeated Spain 2-1 in the 2021 final in Milan.
Aymeric Laporte had the chance to win it for Spain in the nerve-shredding spectacle of penalties, but he struck the bar with his team’s fifth penalty after Simon had also denied Lovro Majer seconds earlier.
The first penalty of sudden death enabled Carvajal to clinch it for Spain after Petkovic had failed to convert with Simon guessing right by going in that direction.
Much to the despair of the large following of Croatia fans, who saw their team lose 3-0 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals in December.
TALKING POINT – Is Modric’s Croatia trophy dream over?
It would have been a magical end to a record-breaking international career that began way back in 2006 if Luka Modric had sealed a major trophy for his country. He scored a penalty and worked tirelessly, but for once Croatia came up short in the shoot-out having won their previous four matches in such a fashion. This coming against a side that had lost their previous three and must have dreaded another international reverse in Rotterdam. It shows penalties remain a lottery and you will not always come out on the right side of the verdict.
At the age of 37, Modric might well continue until the Euros next summer in Germany, but time is running out for the iconic playmaker to realise the fairytale end having lost 4-2 in the 2018 World Cup final to France before suffering a 3-0 loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Trophy or no trophy, nothing can detract from his magnificence at this level.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
A quite brilliant effort from the forward, who was a constant source of menace with his potent runs up and down the flank a real nuisance to the Spanish defence. Threw over several superb crosses throughout the night, but nobody was on hand to convert. Also denied Ansu Fati a winner towards the end of the 90 minutes when he cleared off his line with goalkeeper Livakovic clearly beaten.
PLAYER RATINGS
Croatia: Livakovic 7, Juranovic 6, Erlic 6, Sutalo 6, Perisic 8, Modric 8, Brozovic 7, Kovacic 7, Pasalic 7, Kramaric 7, Ivanusec 6
Subs: Stanisic 6, Majer 5, Vlasic 7, Petkovic 7
Spain: Simon 8, Navas 7, Le Normand 7, Laporte 8, Alba 6, Rodri 7, Ruiz 6, Asensio 7, Gavi 7, Pino 7, Morata 6
Subs: Nacho 6, Carvajal 7, Olmo 7, Merino 7, Joselu 6, Fati 8
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
10′ SPAIN ALMOST AHEAD Fabian Ruiz with an innocuous cross ball, but Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic drops the ball and it hits his right-hand post. Alvaro Morata quick to react, but Livakovic swipes the ball away from his feet. The offside flag goes up. So wouldn’t have counted. Panic over! For now.
23′ FIRST CROATIA CHANCE OF NIGHT! What a chance that is for the underdogs as Andrej Kramaric exploits the Spanish high line. Looked in business and all set to pull the trigger before Aymeric Laporte recovers superbly to nudge the ball over the bar. Superb defending.
84′ PERISIC TO THE RESCUE FOR CROATIA! Superb piece of defending by Perisic as he scrambles the ball off his line from the Fati effort. Was well struck with the ‘keeper beaten. Alba and Merino causing Croatia serious problems inside their own box. Six minutes remaining.
101′ SUPERB SPANISH REARGUARD ACTION! Nacho with a brilliant tackle on Majer as he burst into Spain’s box and threatened to unleash a shot. Nacho had to get that right having already been booked. And he does. And he needs some treatment with Spain having used their subs.
108′ OLMO TO THE FORE So close for the Spanish substitute as he sees a volley deflect wide. Couldn’t have ended up in the back of the net. Juranovic having trouble with Fati down the right flank. Spanish changes have worked well this evening in changing momentum.
SPAIN HAVE WON THE NATIONS LEAGUE! Carvajal converts with a delightful chip after Petkovic sees his effort by Simon halted. That is quite astonishing. No fairytale end for Croatia and Luka Modric. Spain can party after winning 5-4 on penalties. Disappointment and delight right there.
KEY STAT
Spain have won their fifth title in history (World Cup 2010, Euro 1964, 2008 and 2012 and Nations League 2023) and the first won in a penalty shoot-out.
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