Spain defeat Croatia to win the UEFA Nations League

Spain defeat Croatia to win the UEFA Nations League

Faruq Ibrahim 22:40 - 18.06.2023

Unai Simon's heroics between the sticks helps Spain defeat Croatia via penalty shootouts to win the Nations League.

Spain are champions of the Nations League after beating Croatia 5-4 via penalty shootouts.  

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La Furia Roja improved their outcome in the last edition of the competition, where they lost the final against France, beating the Checkered Ones in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to win their first trophy since the 2012 European Championships.

How it happened 

Spain came into the clash off the back of a victory over Italy in the semi-final, while Croatia dispatched the Netherlands in extra time.  

The game was end-to-end from the start, and both teams alternated periods of dominance throughout the encounter. 

Spain came close to winning it late in the game when Ansu Fati's shot was cleared off the line by Ivan Perisic. 

On the other hand, a Carvajal last-ditch tackle prevented Zlatko Dalic's men from stealing it at the death. 

Extra time and penalties

Both teams had their shooting boots on, and the first six penalties were impeccable. Croatia, however, blinked first, as Livro Majer's attempt was saved by Unai Simon. 

Aymeric Laporte needed to score to hand La Roja the title, but he crashed the ball against the top bar, restoring parity. 

Bruno Petkovic gave Spain another chance to win the game when his penalty was saved by Simon, and Carvajal made no mistake capitalising as his Panenka attempt condemned Croatia to another silver medal.

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