2023-06-19 00:03:43
It had been almost an eternity. Eleven years after their last victory at Euro 2012, Spain won a new continental title by winning on penalties against Croatia (0-0; 5-4 on penalties) in the final of the Nations League this Sunday in Rotterdam by winning against Croatia. She succeeds the France team, winners in 2021. An unexpected title for Luis de La Fuente, appointed head of La Roja last December in place of the probable new PSG coach, Luis Enrique.
Still, La Roja suffered. In a choppy encounter with a lot of intensity, Rodri’s teammates struggled to contain Perisic’s speed on the left side. The Tottenham winger could have opened the scoring twice on two crosses from Modric, but Unai Simon kept watch (35, 39′). Rather harmless, the men of Luis de la Fuente broke their teeth for a long time on the compact defense of the Vatreni (zero shots on target in the first period).
But the changes of the Iberian technician were able to prove conclusive with the entries of Ansu Fati and Joselu after the hour mark, which brought percussion to the Spanish game. The young Catalan could even have been the Spanish hero at the end of the match but his strike was deflected on the line by the inexhaustible Perisic (83rd), before Asensio struck wide (90th).
Unai Simon in a state of grace
And the Spaniards have been pushed beyond regulation time against the Croatian marathoners, who have chained nine extensions in their last twelve knockout matches. But this time, the outcome was not favorable to them. Marco Asensio’s teammates finally claimed the trophy in the penalty shootout thanks to two saves from Unai Simon on attempts by Lovro Majer and Petkovic and a panenka winner from Dani Carvajal. Note the failure of Aymeric Laporte as the fifth shooter.
The Croats, disappointed, are still missing out on their first title, after the unfortunate final at the 2018 World Cup and their third place in Qatar.
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