Balance prevailed and it was left to the last tie-break to be named champions of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League. In a match played this Sunday evening (18th), at the Feijenoord Stadium, known as Kuip, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Spain beat Croatia on penalties 5-4. […]
Balance prevailed and it was left to the last tie-break to be named champions of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League. In a match played this Sunday evening (18), at the Feijenoord Stadium, known as Kuip, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Spain beat Croatia on penalties 5-4 after extra time, the maximum penalty defined the Spanish champions of the third edition of the tournament of European teams, thanks to two saves by goalkeeper Unai Simón.
As expected, the first half was fairly even. Spain advanced the marking and had more ball possession. With that, Croatia’s strength has been slow to show. The first shot is by Gavi, on 11′, with a lot of danger. In the final half of the first phase, the Croatians started to increase their presence in the attacking field and balance the confrontation. Perišić was the best name for the speed to prime forwards. The midfielder headed twice and Unai Simón saved both attempts.
Well-played football, with similar tactics and postures, was again highlighted in the complementary phase. Juranović had a good chance when he was triggered from a cross and received a free kick, but just missed the finish. In response, Asensio and Rodri got scared. The attacker heads high, while the defensive midfielder shoots hard and the ball ends up on the right side of goal. The changes made by the two coaches were more beneficial for the Spaniards. Ansu Fati had a great chance when he got pass from Nacho on the penalty spot, but Perišić blocked the shot practically on the line.
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In extra time, both Spain and Croatia took turns finishing. Dani Olmo had room to take advantage of Erlić’s cut, but he sent high. Lovro Majer activated in front of goal, but Nacho stopped, in addition to Brozović who risked and Unai Simón, he defended. In the second half, the Hispanics showed better physical condition and pressed in the closing minutes, but nothing that required goalkeeper Livaković’s big saves.
In the shootout everything went well until the fourth kick, when Majer struck and Unai Simón saved. Laporte had an opportunity from the last penalty kick of the five penalty shootout, but it exploded over the crossbar. However, once again Simón intervened with a timely save from Petković’s free-kick. It remained for Daniel Carvajal to dig in and guarantee the first title of the Red in 11 years.
Source: Terra
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