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Croatia vs Spain: Head to head statistics
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Croatia vs Spain recommended bets
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Croatia vs Spain match preview
By the end of Sunday night, there will be a new name on the UEFA Nations League trophy, but will it be that of Croatia or Spain?
Both came through mid-week semi-finals to get here, with Croatia dumping out hosts Netherlands on Wednesday.
The Blazers went a goal down in that match, but equalised via an Andrej Kramarić penalty, before Mario Pašalić’s side-footed half-volley had them in front.
Just as the large contingent of Croatian supporters were preparing to celebrate, Holland equalised, in the 96th minute no less, sparking jubilant scenes from those donning orange in Rotterdam.
Despite this obvious setback, Zlatko Dalić’s bounced back astonishingly well and bossed the extra time period.
Bruno Petković lashed the Checkered Ones ahead again before, towards the end, Luka Modrić cooly converted a penalty, wrapping up a 4-2 victory.
Under Dalić, this team reached the World Cup Final in 2018 before getting all the way to the semi-finals last December, notably ousting Brazil on penalties in Qatar.
This truly has been a golden half-decade for Croatia, so can they cap it off with a first-ever piece of major international silverware here?
Spain meantime won back-to-back Euros and the World Cup in-between a decade ago, so are now targeting their for trophy for 11 years.
On Thursday night, Luis de la Fuente’s team dumped out Italy in their semi-final, prevailing 2-1 at De Grolsch Veste.
Yeremy Pino broke the deadlock after just three minutes, pouncing on some slack Italian defending, but it was 1-1 soon after; debutant Robin Le Normand unfortunate to concede a penalty, penalised for handball.
Spain then, more-or-less, dominated the remained of the match, without creating too many clear-cut opportunities.
But then, in the final minute of normal time, Rodri’s shot rebounded to substitute Joselu, who poked home a dramatic winner in Enschede.
This means Spain have now reached back-to-back Nations League Finals, hoping for better this time round, after losing 2-1 to France at San Siro two years ago.
When these two nations last met, it was in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, with Spain prevailing 5-3 after extra time in Copenhagen.
Overall, their last four meetings have produced a whopping 22 goals, so let’s hope for more of the same here.
Who will be crowned 2023 UEFA Nations League winners in this Sunday night clash not to be missed at De Kuip?
Croatia team news
37 year old Luka Modrić completely bossed the semi-final victory over Netherlands, named man of the match, so will he be celebrating his 166th cap by hoisting aloft international silverware for the very first time?
At centre-back, with Joško Gvardiol injured, World Cup 2018 cult-hero Domagoj Vida got the nod alongside Josip Šutalo on Wednesday.
Ivan Perišić has 33 international goals to his name, scoring at all five major tournaments in the last decade, although he’s never netted in the UEFA Nations League.
Striker Bruno Petković has only scored two international goals in the last three years, but these have come in a World Cup quarter-final win over Brazil and then Wednesday’s semi victory over Holland.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Šutalo, Vida, Perišić; Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić; Pašalić, Kramarić, Ivanušec.
Spain team news
Joselu only made his international debut, as a 33 year old, against Norway in March, but has now scored three times in just three caps, doing so in only 81 minutes of action.
Kepa Arrizabalaga started both March qualifiers, Luis de la Fuente’s first two matches in charge, so it was a surprise to see Unai Simón back in goal on Thursday.
Robin Le Normand made his debut against Italy, chosen as Aymeric Laporte’s partner, with Nacho the only other centre-back option.
Jordi Alba and Marco Asensio are both currently without a club, leaving Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, so will be hoping to impress future suitors.
In attack, striker Álvaro Morata scored the decisive extra time go-ahead goal when Spain last met Croatia two years ago, so will he be the hero in Rotterdam?
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Simón; Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba; Rodri, Gavi, Merino; Asensio, Morata, Yeremy.
UEFA Nations League Finals results & fixtures
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