The Croatians cheer, the Spaniards score. At the Berlin Olympic stadium, after a rainy morning, the sun came out and the percentage of fans was 70-30 for the Croatians, who literally invaded Berlin. But on the pitch there was the other side of the coin: the ball and the goals belonged to Roja who went to half-time with a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Carvajal and in the second half they maintained the result and started their game in the best possible way. European.
RECORD FOILS
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It was the afternoon of Fabian Ruiz, an assist and a goal, of Morata, who scored in the third consecutive European Championship, of Rodri, the lighthouse, and of Lamine Yamal, who at 16 years and 338 days took away the record from the Polish Kacper Kozlowski of precociousness in the competition, stable 3 years ago with 17 years and 246 days. Italy is warned: next Thursday in Gelsenkirchen they will have to suffer. For the declining Croatia of the usual suspects, the challenge against Albania will be very delicate.
THE CHOICES
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A surprise for De la Fuente, who prefers Cucurella to Grimaldo in defense on the left. For the rest, as expected, Nacho joins Le Normand as a central defender, while Pedri wins the race with Dani Olmo, who has been injured all week. In Croatia the expected lineup: midfield with the three columns, Brozovic between Modric and Kovacic, Perisic starts from the bench, former Crotone player Budimir in attack.
THE THREE NETWORKS
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After almost half an hour with little salt, here’s the blaze: in 196 seconds Spain scores twice. Fabian first throws Morata in front of Livakovic and Alvaro doesn’t forgive, then the former Napoli player takes out Modric and Brozovic by dancing on a placemat and doubles. Unai Simon is good on Brozovic, Budimir doesn’t reach an inviting cross from Gvardiol, and in injury time Lamine Yamal from the right with his left foot serves the ball to Carvajal stationed in the middle of the area to make it 3-0, with Lecce’s Pongracic sleeping blissfully.
THE CHANGES
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The second half was used for substitutions, Perisic, Mario Pasalic, Sucic and Petkovic for Budimir, Modric, Kovacic and Kramaric on one side, Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino for Pedri, Morata and Nico Williams on the other, and led to a slight improvement from Croatia, with Cucurella and Unai Simon stopping Stanisic and Budimir’s shots
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THE EPISODE
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In the 78th minute, Unai Simon’s usual mistake with his feet on a pass from Le Normand led to Rodri’s very doubtful penalty on Petkovic, who was booked. Petkovic himself kicked, Unai Simon saved, Perisic served Petkovic but his goal was disallowed because the former Inter player had entered the area too early after his teammate’s shot. The Croatian fans closed by singing: the national spirit is intact, but to do well in this European Championship it is not enough.
