A new name will be carved onto the Nations League trophy tonight when Croatia face Spain in the 2023 in Rotterdam. It has been a thrilling era for Luka Modric and Co, who have two impressive World Cup runs and now potentially a piece of major silverware to show for it.
Zlatko Dalic has put together a talented team that has developed a certain penchant for winning knockout games of football in extra time, a feat they pulled off again when downing Netherlands in an entertaining semi-final during the week. Spain, meanwhile, edged Italy via a late Joselu goal.
Spain lost the last Nations League final to France in controversial circumstances and Luis de la Fuente would certainly benefit from a trophy early in his so-far mixed tenure. Josip Sutalo has overcome an injury knock while Marco Asensio starts for La Roja. Follow Croatia vs Spain LIVE via Standard Sport’s Nations League final blog!
Live updates
22 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Spain cause some issues in the Croatia box with a corner swung in and recycled back into the box.
A bit of a scramble sees Croatia break but they’re stopped with a scrappy foul that doesn’t bring about the first booking of the game.
18 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Safe to say Spain and Croatia are very much playing to their roots tonight.
One game of ultra patient, impressive passing football. One game of ultra patient, impressively organised football.
It’s not been a cracker of a watch so far…
15 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Croatia have done a pretty good job of calming things down after those pair of mistakes.
Spain really missed a chance to press onto their opponents’ throat there, but they’re sticking to some steady possession and a patience-first approach.
12 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Chance!
Gavi steals the ball off Brozovic only 20 yards from the Croatia goal, steadies himself and shoots low… and wide.
Livakovic really needed to be tested there.
9 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
OFF THE POST!
Livakovic drops a pretty staple cross from the left and it bounces off the woodwork, before he grabs it with Morata lurking.
A free kick ends up going Croatia’s way due to Morata being offside – a lucky escape all the same though.
8 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
A few jeers from the red-and-white clad majority in the stands as Spain tip and tap the ball around the middle third.
Eventually a quick ball up to Gavi drifts out for a goal kick.
5 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
A first move down the right for Croatia sees Simon grab the cross and he bowls it out early for Rodri to counter with.
Morata is quickly crowded out though, La Roja yet to formulate a proper attack.
3 mins: Croatia 0-0 Spain
Both teams are knocking the ball around without too much urgency early in the game, we could be set for a long night knowing Croatia in particular!
KICK-OFF!
We’re underway for Croatia vs Spain in the Nations League final!
Man in the middle
Germany’s Felix Zwayer is the referee for today’s game and he is just finishing off the pre-game duties with the two captains.
