VIDEO. Euro 2024: Spain hits a big start by correcting Croatia in the first shock of the competition

Morata a ouvert le score pour l’Espagne à la demi-heure de jeu. EFE – J.J. Guillen

Spain assumed its outsider status in this Euro 2024, by correcting Croatia (3-0) during the first day of Group B, Saturday June 15 in Berlin.

The other match in the group will pit defending champions Italy against Albania in the evening. The duel between La Roja and the Vatreni ("the Ardents), opposed for the fourth consecutive time in a Euro, has, as it often does, turned to the advantage of the Spaniards.

Paris SG midfielder Fabian Ruiz, passer for Alvaro Morata (29th) and scorer of the second goal (32nd), was the great architect of the success of the triple European champions against the finalists of the 2018 World Cup.

Dani Carvajal hit the nail on the head (45+2), served by the nugget Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to play a Euro match at 16 years and 338 days. Two false notes, however, in this match: Morata, visibly injured, asked to leave (67th) and Rodri also left the field (84th), without us knowing whether he was hit or a victim cramps.

Morata leads the way 

Perfectly launched in the axis by Ruiz, captain Morata opened the scoring with a low strike from the left (1-0, 29th). In the process, Ruiz doubled the lead after a nice control-hooks-strike number from the left between the legs of defender Josip Sutalo (2-0, 32nd).

The Croatians tried to react, but Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon turned away Marcelo Brozovic's attempt (33'). On the lookout, Lovro Majer tried a shot that ended up in the side netting. Josko Gvardiol's shot went wide (41').

Just before the break, Carvajal didn't miss the opportunity to stun Luka Modric's team, who had been very discreet in this match. The Real Madrid player took a cross from Barcelona's Yamal (3-0, 45+2).

Cucurella and Simon saved La Roja

After the break, Marc Cucurella saved his team by blocking a right-footed shot from Josip Stanisic (55th). At the end of the match, on a missed pass at the foot of Simon, Rodri sacrificed himself by committing a foul on Bruno Petkovic.

The penalty taken by the latter was pushed back by the Roja goalkeeper. Petkovic, served by Perisic, finally scored, but the goal was invalidated for an offside position by the Croatian passer (79th). After their successful debut, the Spaniards now await the Italians, the reigning European champions, their next opponents on Thursday.