Croatia and Spain will battle it out for UEFA Nations League glory when they face off in the final at Feyenoord’s De Kuip on Sunday evening.
The Croatians knocked out the Netherlands to book their place in the showpiece, while La Roja dispatched Italy to punch their ticket.
🎶 La @SEFutbol's living a ceeeeeelebratioooon!!🎶 ¡¡Tooooodos juntos, vamos a ceeeelebraaaar!!#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/aZ6ACDdiL6— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 15, 2023
🎶 La @SEFutbol's living a ceeeeeelebratioooon!!🎶 ¡¡Tooooodos juntos, vamos a ceeeelebraaaar!!#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/aZ6ACDdiL6
Can Spain make amends for their loss to France in the 2021 Nations League final? Or will Croatia secure the silverware for the first time?
Croatia conceded a 96th-minute goal to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands on Wednesday, as substitute Noa Lang forced to the semi-final into extra-time.
However, the Croatians kept their composure and used their experience to score twice in extra-time, with goals from Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric sealing a 4-2 victory.
Croatia have now lost just one of their last 16 matches in normal time, and that defeat came against World Cup champions Argentina in the semi-finals in Qatar.
It is also worth noting that Croatia claimed three extra-time/penalty victories in their previous seven games, proving that they’ve got what it takes to go the distance.
On the flip side, Spain defeated Italy on Thursday to reach the final, with veteran striker Joselu coming off the bench to score the winner goal in the 88th minute.
La Roja experienced an indifferent international break back in March, defeating Norway 3-0 before suffering a shock 2-0 defeat to Scotland.
The Spanish also endured an early exit from the 2022 World Cup, falling to eventual semi-finalists Morocco in the round of 16.
That said, Spain have only lost two of their previous nine matches in normal time, so they will be confident of overcoming Croatia and lifting the trophy.
Head-to-head: When Croatia and Spain last meet back in 2021, Spain claimed a 5-3 victory over Croatia in extra-time in the last 16 of the European Championship.
As a result, La Roja have won four of their previous six meetings with Croatia across all competitions, scoring over 1.5 goals on five occasions.
Team news: Croatia’s experienced midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic look set to start on Sunday, with Ivan Perisic operating at left-back.
As for Spain, Manchester City duo Rodri and Aymeric Laporte are expected to start, while Alvaro Morata will likely lead the line.
If the previous meeting between Croatia and Spain is anything to go by, Sunday’s final should be another high-scoring affair with plenty of action.
Forebet predicts that both teams will score over 1.5 goals on the night, with Croatia and Spain expected to push each other all the way.