The opening match of Group B saw two-time Euro Winners Spain face off against an ageing, but vastly experienced Croatian side. The last time the two sides faced off in a European Championship three years ago, La Roja emerged victorious in an eight-goal thriller after extra-time. On Saturday however, proceedings were far more straightforward.
Much of the talk before the match centred around Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who at 16 years and 338 days became the youngest player to ever feature at the European Championships. Luis De La Fuente’s bold line-up saw the teenager flanked on the opposite side by the equally exciting 19-year-old, Nico Williams. However, it was experience that set Spain on their way to victory in Berlin.
After a fairly uneventful start, Spain roared into life on the 29th minute: a superb defence-splitting pass from Rodri saw captain Álvaro Morata race through on goal before slotting cooly past Dominik Livaković.
Moments later, after good work from Yamal down the right-hand side, Pedri found Fabián Ruiz on the edge of the box. The PSG midfielder slalomed his way past Luka Modrić and Marcelo Brozović before unleashing a rasping drive that flew into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Shortly before half-time, the win was all but wrapped up. Yamal, unfazed by the occasion, crossed beautifully for Dani Carvajal to continue his goal-scoring touch since his header at Wembley last month, this time steering home from six yards.
Croatian second-half rally marred by VAR penalty controversy
In the second-half Croatia improved, Josip Stanišić and Andrej Kramarić came close but were denied from point blank-range by Marc Cucurella and Unai Simón respectively. Their building momentum culminated in a penalty won by Bruno Petković following a mistake from Simón. The Athletic Club goalkeeper once again making a huge error against the same opponents as he did three years ago in Copenhagen.
The refereeing at the tournament so far has been relatively error-free, yet the decisions of Michael Oliver and co. were unfortunately reminiscent of what we have grown accustomed to in the English top-flight this season. After the lengthiest VAR delay of the tournament so far, a penalty won by Petković was somehow given, despite replays clearly showing the Dinamo Zagreb striker kicking the turf and tripping over his own feet. The decision to brandish a yellow card to Rodri, in a major tournament where only two bookings result in suspension, could be a particularly significant one for Spain as the tournament progresses. The penalty which was given, saved, and then eventually bundled in was bizarrely ruled out for a Croatian encroachment in the box, without being re-taken. Strange.
Irrespectively, despite their defeat in Berlin, with a wealth of experience and quality running through the squad, one thing's for sure. Modric and co. won't panic just yet.
Player Ratings:
Spain: Simón 5, Carvajal 7, Le Normand 6, Nacho 6, Cucurella 5, Rodri 7, Fabián 9, Pedri 5, Yamal 7, Morata 6, Williams 5
Substitutes: Olmo (for Pedri 59) 6, Oyarzabal (for Morata) 6, Merino (for Williams 68) 6, Ferran Torres (for Yamal 86) 6, Zubimendi (for Rodri 86) 6
Croatia: Livaković 7, Stanišić 6, Šutalo 7, Pongračić 4, Gvardiol 6, Brozović 5, Kovačić 5, Modrić 5, Majer 5, Budimir 5, Kramarić 5
Substitutes: Perišić (for Budimir 56) 7, Sučić (for Kovačić 65) 6, Pašalić (for Modrić 65) 6, Petković (for Kramarić 72) 7
Player of the Match: Fabián Ruiz
Italians show strength of character in comeback victory
After a typically impassioned rendition of “Il Canto degli Italiani”, Italy looked to start strong as overwhelming favourites against minnows Albania. But after just thirteen seconds Nedim Bajrami flipped the script on its head - latching onto Federico Dimarco's wayward throw-in before rifling past Gianluigi Donarumma at his near post.
The reigning champions hauled themselves back into the contest via a towering Alessandro Bastoni header in the 11th minute. Only five minutes later, Nicolò Barella unleashed a beautifully struck half-volley from 20-yards that left Thomas Strakosha rooted to the spot. The Azzuri had found their voice again.
However, in the second-half as Italy looked to cruise to victory, they were stilted, laborious, and nearly punished; only holding onto their victory after a last gasp Rey Manaj effort skidded off the back of Donarumma and wide.
Bastoni-Calafiori partnership a positive, despite sluggish second half
However, there were positives for the holders. Federico Chiesa was bright, showing glimpses of his electric running and trickery that so famously carried Italy towards European Victory three years ago. Barella put in a starring performance in midfield, his tenacity and sheer quality resulting in his fabulous match-winning goal. Most significantly perhaps though, was the outstanding performances of new-look centre back partnership Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori. Seamlessly replacing the legendary Bonucci-Chiellini partnership of the past decade, the pair seemed as if they had played alongside each other for years, with Calafiori’s movement into pockets in midfield, as he has done at club level this season for Bologna, catching the eye.
Nearly every Italian side to bring success on the international stage has been built upon foundations set by excellent defenders. If Luciano Spaletti’s side are to retain their title, the blossoming centre-back partnership will be pivotal as the tournament progresses.
Albania must improve for Croatia clash
Sylvinho's Albania were perhaps unlucky not to come away from Dortmund without a point for their hard work and endeavour. Competing in only their second European Championship, they competed well across the 90 minutes, but will still need to improve to cause problems for Croatia, and progress from one of the toughest groups in the entire tournament.
Player Ratings:
Italy: Donarumma 6, Di Lorenzo 5, Bastoni 8, Calafiori 7, Dimarco 7, Jorginho 5, Fratessi 5, Barella 9, Pellegrini 6, Chiesa 7, Scamacca 5
Substitutes: Cristante (for Pellegrini 77) 6, Cambiaso (for Chiesa 77) 6, Darmian (for Dimarco 83) 6, Retegui (for Scamacca 83) 6, Folorunsho (for Barella 90) n/a
Albania: Strakosha 6, Hysaj 6, Ajeti 6, Djimsiti 6, Mitaj 5, Asllani 6, Ramadani 6, Asani 5, Bajrami 7, Seferi 5, Broja 5
Substitues: Laçi (for Seferi 68) 6, Hoxha (for Asani 68) 6, Manaj (for Broja 77) 6, Muçi (for Bajrami 79) 6
Player of the Match: Nicolò Barella
Next in Group B, Croatia will play Albania in Hamburg, and Spain will face off with Italy in Gelsenkirchen.
