Dani Carvajal converts winning penalty Spain beats Croatia to wins the 2023 UEFA Nations League Final.
Dani Carvajal converted the decisive spotkick to hand Spain Glorious victory, as the La Roja celebrated their first trophy win since Euro 2012, as they edged Croatia 5-4 in a penalty shootout to win the Nations League in Rotterdam on Sunday.
After the game ended scoreless in extra time, substitute Dani-Carvajal made the game-winning penalty kick with a Panenka to give head coach Luis de la-Fuente, who had only been named Luis Enrique's replacement in December, a trophy-winning start to his reign.
Despite Luka Modric's best efforts, Croatia, who finished third in Qatar last year and as World Cup finalists in 2018, was unable to score during the 120 minutes of play. In the shootout, substitutes Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic also saw their penalties saved by Unai Simon.
It was a terrible result for serial overachievers Croatia, who, four days after their extra-time victory over the Netherlands in the semifinals, once again cruelly fall short of a historic victory.
Croatia coach Vlatko Dalic said the future of his captain Luka Modric remained unclear, after the 37-year-old Real Madrid midfielder put in another impressive showing.
Midfielder Rodri, who punched the air after scoring his penalty, has four titles this season after also winning a historic treble with his club, Manchester City. He was named the player of the Nations League tournament to cap his memorable year.
Spain’s other previous titles came in the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
Spain vs. Croatia: Player ratings
Croatia: Livakovic (7), Juranovic (7), Sutalo (7), Erlic (7), Perisic (8), Brozovic (8), Modric (8), Kovacic (8), Pasalic (6), Ivanusec (6), Kramaric (6).
Subs: Petkovic (7), Vlasic (7), Majer (6), Stanisic (6).
Spain: Simon (8), Navas (6), Le Normand (7), Laporte (8), Alba (7), Rodri (7), Fabian Ruiz (7), Gavi (6), Asensio (7), Pino (6), Morata (5).
Subs: Ansu Fati (7), Joselu (6), Merino (7), Nacho (7), Olmo (7), Caravajal (7).
Player of the match: Marcelo Brozovic
ITALY THIRD — AGAIN
Federico Dimarco scored in the sixth minute and Davide Frattesi poked home a rebound to double the lead in the 20th to put Italy on course to beating the Netherlands 3-2 to secure third place in the Nations League for the second time in two attempts.
Earlier, Spain beat Italy 2-1 to set up the final.
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