Rotterdam: Spain’s 11-year trophy drought is over. Croatia and their veteran captain Luka Modric are nonetheless ready for his or her first worldwide title. Goalkeeper Unai Simon saved two photographs as Spain beat Croatia in a penalty shootout after their tense Nations League closing had completed 0-0 on Sunday.

The Bilbao goalkeeper used his ft to avoid wasting a penalty by Lovro Majer when the shootout was degree at 3-3 after which dived full-length to tip Bruno Petković’s spot kick across the put up. Dani Carvajal transformed his penalty — with a “Panenka” chip — to seal the victory.

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente stated Carvajal had taken penalties nicely in follow forward of the ultimate. “He has a fantastic personality and that’s the way he decided to take it,” he stated. “We have total confidence in his ability to take penalties.”

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Spain’s different earlier titles got here within the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 1964, 2008 and 2012. Midfielder Rodri, who punched the air after scoring his penalty, has 4 titles this season after additionally successful a historic treble together with his membership, Manchester Metropolis. He was named the participant of the Nations League match to cap his memorable 12 months.

Spain didn’t handle a shot heading in the right direction till the 84th minute of the match and when substitute Ansu Fati lastly appeared like breaking the stalemate, Ivan Perišić was on the aim line to dam his effort. It was Spain’s solely goal-bound try, in comparison with 5 by Croatia. Within the first interval of additional time, Majer broke via and fell within the penalty space underneath a problem by Nacho, however German referee Felix Zwayer dominated that the Spain defender had performed the ball and waved off Croatia’s appeals for a penalty.

“I think it makes the win even more epic doing it this way,” De La Fuente stated.

Croatia’s followers – many sporting shirts with Modric’s identify and No. 10 on the again — far outnumbered their Spanish counterparts at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam. However they have been pressured to depart disillusioned as their nation and the 37-year-old Modric continued their await a primary worldwide title.

Croatia completed second on the World Cup in 2018 and third in Qatar final 12 months. Modric, in the meantime, has received the Champions League 5 occasions with Actual Madrid and was named FIFA’s world participant of the 12 months in 2018, breaking the decade-long dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the title. However he has not been capable of cap his glittering profession with worldwide honors.

Whether or not he can have one other attempt at subsequent 12 months’s European Championships stays to be seen. “I’d love Luka to stay,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic stated. “He’s a very important player for us.”

De La Fuente agreed. “I hope he carries on as a result of we by no means need nice gamers to depart the sport,” he stated.

Spain went a step higher than the final Nations League closing in 2021, when it misplaced to France. Not dangerous for a workforce with a coach, Luis De La Fuente, who solely took cost after the World Cup in Qatar and got here in for criticism when his workforce misplaced 2-0 to Scotland in European Championship qualifying.

Spain’s gamers went to a small part of their followers in a single nook of the stadium to have a good time their victory. Each side got here shut within the first half.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković fumbled an innocuous shot by Fabián Ruiz and the ball bounced off the put up within the ninth minute, however Livaković recovered rapidly to dam an try by Álvaro Morata, who was flagged offside. Three minutes later, Gavi dragged a shot simply vast.

However after weathering the early storm, Croatia — with Modric directing the motion from midfield — then created one of the best possibilities. Twice, Modric curled crosses to seek out Ivan Perišić on the far put up however each occasions Simon within the Spain aim saved. However he saved his two finest saves for the penalty shootout.

Italy Third — Once more

Federico Dimarco scored within the sixth minute and Davide Frattesi poked dwelling a rebound to double the lead within the twentieth to place Italy on track to beating the Netherlands 3-2 to safe third place within the Nations League for the second time in two makes an attempt. Steven Bergwijn put the Netherlands again in rivalry within the 68th minute just for Federico Chiesa to revive the Azzurri’s two-goal lead 4 minutes later. Substitute Georginio Wijnaldum accomplished the scoring with one minute of regulation time to go as Italy held on.

The defeat in Enschede meant that Ronald Koeman’s workforce conceded seven objectives in two matches as hosts of the Nations League closing 4, after shedding 4-2 to Croatia after further time on Wednesday. Spain beat Italy 2-1 to arrange the ultimate.