Croatia-Spain: heroic Unai Simón, cursed Lovro Majer

TOPS

Often criticized and deadlocked, La Roja lifted a first trophy this Sunday evening in Rotterdam, that of the League of Nations after beating Croatia on penalties. Eleven years after their last title at Euro 2012. Spain had not gone far in 2021 at the Euro, eliminated on penalties again against Italy, the future European champion. But also in the final of the previous edition of the League of Nations against the French team. After the disappointment of the World Cup in Qatar eliminated in the round of 16 against Morocco there also on penalties, Spain returns to success thanks to Luis de la Fuente who won a title only a few months later. his appointment.

The Basque goalkeeper of Athletic Club was the decisive player in this victory. Twice he defeated the Croatian shooters. First Lovro Majer who found the foot of the Spanish goalkeeper before the right hand of the latter came out that of Bruno Petkovic a few moments later. During the game he also kept his clean sheet despite some interesting situations on the Croatian side.

Without question, the Tottenham player was the most dangerous and the most solid of his team. In particular by the opportunities he created, often from the head, or his overflows on the left side. But he was also decisive in his own area with an exceptional save on his line in front of a strike from the left of Ansu Fati (83rd). Finally, he did not tremble when transforming his shot on goal which did not change the Croatian defeat, unfortunately for him.

FLOPS

Since his comeback during the game (90th), the Rennais has not brought much either in the heart of the game to relieve the starting trio (Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic) or in front since he replaced Andrej Kramaric. On his only big opportunity, he took too long to strike against Unai Simón allowing the saving return of nacho (100th) during extra time. During the penalty shootout, it was he who missed the first shot on goal to put Spain in the lead before winning.

If the suspense was total until the end, the entire game was not of a flamboyant level. Proof of this is the score of 0-0 at the end of 120 minutes. La Roja took 21 shots on goal, only twice on target, including a strike from Asensio in extra time. Croatia for its part struck less on goal but framed more. Only 12 shots for 5 on target. We must also salute the two defenses which defeated the opposing attempts with seriousness.