Achi news desk-
Berlin –
Lamin Yamal became the youngest player to appear at the European Championships as Spain’s new generation brushed aside the challenge of Croatia 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday.
And the Spaniards did so without dominating possession for the first time in 136 competitive games covered by stats analyst Opta. Spain had just 46 percent possession against Croatia, according to UEFA.
Yamal, aged 16 years, 338 days, also became the youngest goal scorer in the tournament when he crossed for Dani Carvajal to score Spain’s third goal before the break.
21-year-old Nico Williams starred on the other side for Spain, which is going for its fourth European title.
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz scored one goal and set up the opening for captain Alvaro Morata in a dominant performance for the team in red.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon saved a penalty in the 80th from substitute Bruno Petkovic, who thought he had scored when Ivan Perisic sent in the rebound. But the goal was disallowed after a VAR review, as Prisic was overzealous and invaded the box before Petkovic took the kick.
Defending champions Italy played Albania in the other Group B match later.
Croatia’s fans, who far outnumbered their Spanish counterparts, tried to rally the team before the end in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, where the final will be held on July 14.
Hundreds gathered before the game near the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin, and also at Breitscheidplatz in the west of the city, where they lit flares, waved flags, jumped down and sang along to Croatian folk songs.
The Croatian immigrants were among those who moved to Germany as guest workers supposedly to help the country’s post-war economy, and never returned. Germany also became home to many Croatian refugees who fled the country’s war of independence in the 1990s.
But it was a disappointing start to Euro 2024 from Zlatko Dalic’s side. The Spanish players were faster, more committed and smarter. Last-ditch defending from Spain defenders Marc Cucorella and Nacho put any other danger out.
Croatia star Luka Modric, who played at Euro 2008 even before Simal was born, failed to make his usual impact. Modric, 38, was given a warm hug by Real Madrid teammates Nacho and Carvajal before the teams took to the pitch, receiving a kiss on the cheek from each.
When Modric went down in the 65th, it was clear that Dalic was already thinking about the next game.
Croatia face Albania in Hamburg on Wednesday, while Spain face Italy in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.
