Author : Amrit Santlani
Spain win their first major title since Euro 2012, shattering the Croatian dream
Croatia faced Spain in the final of the UEFA Nations League 2023 in Rotterdam, with both teams looking to end the summer with a title. Luis de la Fuente’s young Spanish team faced an experienced Croatian outfit and it was the 2010 World Cup winners who had the best chance of winning the game, but La Roja were let down by their poor performance in front of goal.
Gavi was the first Spanish player to come close to opening the scoring, but his shot was narrowly off target in the first half. Ivan Perisic also tested Unai Simon with a header attempt, but the Spaniard stood firm. In the second half, Marco Asensio sent his attempted header over the bar, before Perisic made an incredible save on the goal line to deny Ansu Fati and keep Zlatko Dalic’s side alive in the contest, surviving a Spanish massacre.
In the first half of extra time, Dani Olmo shot over the Croatian goal, before another shot from the Spaniard and a long-range attempt from Rodrigo were blocked by Dalic’s men and so the match went to penalties.
Croatia took the first penalty through Nikola Vlašić, who found the back of the net, as did Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric, while Spain also scored through Joselu, Rodrigo and Mikel Merino.
Substitute Lovro Majer’s shot was saved by Simon, with Asensio putting La Roja on the brink of glory, Perisic scoring his penalty, but Aymeric Laporte missing the winning spot-kick. In sudden death, Bruno Petkovic’s shot was saved, while Carvajal converted to seal the win for Spain.
Italy beat the hapless Dutch unit 3-2 to secure third place
In the bronze medal match, the Netherlands hosted the Italians, while the two losing semi-finalists faced each other to end their respective campaigns on a high. Roberto Mancini’s side started the game brightly, with Federico Dimarco scoring a stunning goal from the edge of the box to open the scoring.
The flying left-back was also involved in the second goal, as his pass to Giacomo Raspadori ended up falling kindly into Davide Frattesi’s hands after a through ball, and Italy were already 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes.
Dimarco was everywhere and the defender shot over the bar, coming close to scoring twice. Cody Gakpo almost pulled one back for the Dutch after a rare counter-attack, but he shot wide with the goal gaping.
In the second half, Koeman’s words had a positive effect when Gakpo made a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. Dimarco was on hand to make an impressive block and deny Steven Bergwijn’s goal, but the Dutchman was not to be denied in the 67th minute, when he received a cross from Gakpo, sat Dimarco down and shot into the net to put his team back in contention.
Federico Chiesa scored a brilliant individual goal, completely against the run of play, to put another nail in the coffin for the Dutch. Koeman’s side managed to score one more through Georginio Wijnaldum, but it was too little, too late.