18 June 2023 , 21:30
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Croatia and Spain went the distance in the UEFA Nations League final in Rotterdam before the Spaniards prevailed in a penalty shoot-out.
Both teams had chances before the break, though neither side was able to break the deadlock. The second period began with some nervy moments for Unai Simon in the Spain goal, but it took changes from the two managers to breathe life into the game at the sharp end.
Zlatko Dalic's Croatia looked livelier when the game was goalless, but the longer the game went on, the more Spain showed flashes of quality. Penalties felt inevitable long before the end, though, and it was Luis de la Fuente's side who claimed victory after Unai Simon saved from Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic in the shoot-out and Dani Carvajal sealed the deal with a Panenka in sudden-death.
Dominik Livakovic was given an early let-off when he fumbled a cross onto the post. Spain continued to press after that close call, with Gavi leaving the goalkeeper flat-footed but firing his shot just wide.
Both teams regularly attacked through their full-backs - Jordi Alba and Jesus Navas for Spain, and Josip Juranovic and Ivan Perisic for Croatia - but it was tweaks in attack which changed things.
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Even in the second half, clear-cut chances were hard to come by, though Fabian Ruiz came close with an ambitious chip and Ivan Perisic cleared an Ansu Fati effort off the line, but penalties ended up being the decider. Here, Mirror Football looks at the big talking points.
1. De la Fuente gets up and running
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Unai Simon was Spain's hero in the penalty shoot-out (AP)After a sluggish start to life as Spain manager, losing to Scotland in a Euro 2024 qualifier, the Nations League offered Luis de la Fuente a chance to kick-start his time in charge. For Croatia boss Dalic, it was a shot at a trophy after so many near misses with this group of players.
A penalty shoot-out might not be as 'clean' a victory as a normal time triumph, but they all count. The Nations League doesn't have the cachet of a World Cup, but again that won't matter to the victors.
Neither team looked close to scoring over 120 minutes, but it was a different story from the spot as the first six kicks went in. Eventually, though, Simon saw Spain to glory and De La Fuente will hope this is only the beginning.
2. Laporte sends Guardiola reminder
Aymeric Laporte started the game after spending the Champions League final on the bench (AP)Aymeric Laporte has fallen out of favour at Manchester City of late, but the centre-back was showing few signs of rust. With City target Josko Gvardiol missing out for Croatia through injury, it was time for Laporte to remind Pep Guardiola what he can do.
It didn't take him long to offer the first reminder. After racing back to make a last-ditch tackle to deny a Croatia attack, he might have visualised saving the highlights and sending them to his club manager. It would have been fitting for him to score the match-winning penalty, but he'll at least be pleased his miss in the shoot-out wasn't costly
City did just fine without Laporte as they clinched the treble, with the 29-year-old playing just one minute across their two cup finals. Were he to leave this summer, though, he could well be missed.
3. Evergreen Navas not out of place
Spain kept the faith with 37-year-old Jesus Navas (AFP via Getty Images)Speaking of players with Manchester City experience, it would be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola would have used this version of Jesus Navas. The Spain right-back was 31 when he left the Etihad Stadium six years ago - a year after Guardiola's arrival - but is still going strong.
Sevilla favourite Navas turned out for the Spanish side in the 2006 UEFA Cup final and the 2023 equivalent in that tournament's heir, the Europa League. However, the flying winger of the former is now a full-back, and a pretty decent one at that.
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The defender is a great advert for versatility and adaptability, and held his own against an experienced Croatia attack. There were some tired moments later on as Croatia tried to find luck down his side, but he played like a man who knows how to use his qualities to his advantage - and might even have set up a 90th minute winner with better finishing from Marco Asensio.
4. A farewell for Modric?
Luka Modric was winning his 166th Croatia cap (AFP via Getty Images)Luka Modric was winning his 166th cap for Croatia, and there has been talk that it might be his last. The Croatia captain is a couple of months older than Navas, but has a lot more miles in his legs, and yet as extra-time drew on he looked as calm and eager for the ball as anyone else.
The former Tottenham man has won everything there is to win with Real Madrid, playing his part in multiple Champions League triumphs. The same success hasn't come for Croatia, but the fact they have even come close - both here and at the 2018 World Cup - is testament to his leadership and quality.
Modric is expected to stay at Real Madrid for one final year despite interest from Saudi Arabia. Time for one more big trophy?
5. Lively Pino shows what he can offer
Yeremy Pino caused problems during his 65 minutes on the field (AFP via Getty Images)Yeremy Pino was linked with a Premier League move last summer, and it's clear to see why. The Villarreal youngster was a handful for Croatia's defence in the first half, be it from his starting position on the left or when drifting more central.
Arsenal opted to keep faith with Gabriel Martinelli rather than breaking the bank for the Spaniard, and it's hard to say it didn't pay off. They shouldn't be the only ones keeping tabs on Pino, though, even if the January arrival of Leandro Trossard makes other areas a priority now.
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