Spain won the third edition of the Nations League against Croatia. Italy had previously won the small final.
The much younger Spain national football team prevailed on Sunday (June 18, 2023) in the final of the Nations League against Croatia on penalties 5: 4 – and snapped over the Golden Generation Luka Modric the first title under his nose. After 90 minutes and the subsequent extra time, it was 0-0.
Dani Carvajal Spain secured their first tournament victory since the 2012 European Championship from the point in the atmospheric “away game” in Rotterdam. Croatia Lovro Mayer and Bruno Petkovic had previously blundered their penalties. Missed at Spain Aymeric Laporte.
A song for Modric
After winning silver and bronze at the last two World Cups, Modric is denied the crowning glory of his national team career.
It got emotional after just ten minutes when the more than 30,000 Croatian fans sang a song for Modric intoned. They wanted to convince their star not to end his career in the national team.
The 37-year-old initially only aimed for the final round of the Nations League. The game went well with the great atmosphere in the stadium De Kuip but not keep up, goal scenes were rare.
Superior Spaniards
Under the eyes of Bundesliga referee Felix Zwayer, both teams neutralized each other for long stretches. The strong one-on-one Croatians, who beat the Netherlands 4-2 after extra time in the semi-finals, left Spain little room to combine. The Iberians had more of the game but didn’t score.
Italy secures third place
final fourHosts Netherlands had previously gone empty-handed: in the match for third place in the Nations League in Enschede opposed Italy orange with 3: 2 (2: 0) through.
Federico Dimarco (6th minute), Davide Fratesi (20.) and Federico Chiesa (73.) scored the goals for coach’s team in a very entertaining game, especially in the second half Roberto Manciniwhich secured third place in this competition two years ago.
Steven Bergwijn (68.) and Georginio Wijnaldum (90.) shortened twice for the hosts, who lost 4-2 to Croatia in the semifinals after extra time. Italy lost 2-1 to Spain.