Croatia vs Spain: UEFA Champions Matador Team
Today's sports news is the match "Croatia Vs Spain: UEFA Champions Matador Team". Spain became champions of the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League after defeating Croatia on penalties.
The UEFA Nations League 2022-2023 final will be held at De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam, Netherlands, on June 18, 2023.
The match had to be settled on penalties after the score was 0-0 unchanged for 90 minutes of normal time plus twice 15 minutes of extra time.
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| Photo: sportingnews.com |
Spain finally emerged as champions of the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League after a 5-4 win over Croatia in a penalty shootout.
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It is not too surprising to see Croatia vs Spain match must be completed.
Because Spain is always dominant in ball possession. On the other hand, Croatia displayed a disciplined game.
In the first half, Zlatko Dalic's Croatia allowed Spain only six tries.
Of the three chances, one of the most threatening to Croatia came from Gavi's efforts.
However, none of the Spanish Matadors' chances in the first half could lead right to the goal.
On the other hand, Croatia looked even more dangerous and continued to display solidity in the second half.
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Until the final match of the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League passed the 80-minute mark, Spain still failed to get a shot on target!
Chances scored via Fabian Ruiz's rebound (76') and Marco Asensio's strike (77) still did not find Croatia's net.
In the 84th minute, a good chance was obtained by Spanish substitute Ansu Fati in the Croatian goalmouth. However, Ansu Fati's shot could still be blocked heroically by Ivan Perisic.
The chance came again for Spain in the 90th minute. However, Asensio's diagonal shot still missed the goal.
The 0-0 score remained for 90 minutes. Croatia vs Spain match went to extra time.
In the first half of extra time, fatigue began to look gnawing at both sides. Not many real opportunities are created.
The best chance came from Marcelo Brozovic at the end of the first half of extra time. Only, Brozovic's shot ball can still be hugged by Spanish goalkeeper, Unai Simon.
The penalty shootout was inevitable considering that in the second half of extra time, the two teams were still deadlocked.
Spain became champions of the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League after beating Croatia 5-4 on penalties.
Croatia found that two of their six-shooters failed to complete their duties as executioners. Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic's penalty shots went in.
On the other hand, Spain's victory was ensured by Dani Carvajal's kick. There was only one penalty executioner of the Matador Team who failed, namely the fifth shooter, Aymeric Laporte.
Croatia vs Spain line-up
Croatia (4-3-3): 1-Livakovic; 22-Juranovic (2-Stanisic 112'), 6-Sutalo, 5-Erlic, 14-Perisic; 10-Modric, 11-Brozovic, 8-Kovacic, 15-Pasalic (17-Petkovic 62'), 9-Kramaric (7-Majer 90'), 15-Ivanusec (13-Vlasic 78').
Coach: Zlatko Dalic.
Spain (4-2-3-1): 23-Unai Simon; 22-Jesus Navas (Carvajal 97'), 3-Le Normand (4-Nacho 78'), 14-Laporte, 18-Jordi Alba; 16-Rodri, 8-Fabian Ruiz (6-Mikel Merino 78'); 10-Asensio, 9-Gavi (21-Dani Olmo 87'), 15-Yeremy Pino (12-Ansu Fati 66'); 7-Morata (20-Joselu 66').
Coach: Luis De La Fuente.
That's the sports news today. Hope the information about the football match "Croatia Vs Spain: UEFA Champions Matador Team", entertains you.