Croatia vs Spain LIVE! Penalties – Nations League final match stream, latest score and goal updates today
A new name will be engraved on the Nations League trophy tonight when Croatia take on Spain in Rotterdam in 2023. It’s been an exciting era for Luka Modric and company who have had two impressive World Cup runs and now potentially a big title to their name.
Zlatko Dalic has assembled a talented squad that has developed a penchant for winning knockout games in extra time, a feat they repeated as they beat the Netherlands in an entertaining semi-final midweek . Spain, meanwhile, beat Italy through a late goal from Joselu.
Spain lost the last Nations League final to France in controversial circumstances and Luis de la Fuente would certainly benefit from a trophy at the start of his patchy tenure so far. Josip Sutalo has recovered from injury while Marco Asensio starts for La Roja. Follow Croatia vs Spain LIVE over standard sport‘s Nations League Final Blog!
live updates
Penalties: Croatia 1-1 Spain
Joselu, the hero of the semifinals for Spain… top corner!
Penalties: Croatia 1-0 Spain
VLASIC… POINTS!
Croatia goes first!
Here we go…
Advantage Croatia?
Spain have lost their last three penalties…
Now everything has calmed down
Zlatko Dalic exudes calm on the sidelines while Alba and Modric deal with the referee’s formalities ahead of the penalty shoot-out.
A bit crowded in the middle
You don’t usually see the aggro pouring out BEFORE a penalty shootout!
I’m not sure what caused this as there are all sorts of players and staff on the pitch at the moment.
FULL TIME! Croatia – Spain 0-0
Simon handles Brozovic’s corner really well and handles a crowded box well.
No stoppage time and it’s a penalty shootout!
119 minutes: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Laporte and Nacho clear Majer’s balls before Croatia win another corner.
Will we see a late grand winner?
118 minutes: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Majer manages to get the ball away and win a foul on Alba, who gets off worse because he has his body stuck between the mand and the ball.
Much needed rest for Croatia.
Modric loads the free kick forward and Kovacic smashes one into a defender – corner kick!
116 minutes: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Close!
Rodri picks his spot from 20 yards out, aiming to score his second winner in a grand final this summer… However, Sutalo sticks his head on it and deflects it (just) wide.
Fati’s corner is dangerous but somehow beats everyone.