Spain are Nations League champions

Spain have emerged as the new and third UEFA Nations League winner after beating Croatia on penalties on Sunday to replace France as the new title holders. The UEFA Nations League finals first edition was won by Portugal, followed by France, who failed to make the semifinals of the 2023 edition.

 Going into the final at De Kuip in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Spain was hoping to end their international trophy wait as the last time they won a trophy was at Euro 2012, Croatia; they were making their second major final in 5 years and were hoping to finally win an international trophy after losing the 2018 FIFA World Cup final to France and reaching the third place at the 2022 World Cup.

It was also a chance for Croatia’s golden generation to finally win a trophy as Luka Modric was playing his final game potentially for the national team. However, the pressure for Croatia was evident as Gavi almost put La Roja in the lead in the first half, but other than that, Spain was reduced to muted penalty shouts for handballs in the Croatian box.

The second half was cagey as both teams were inseparable in 90 minutes, forcing extra time Croatia’s eighth extra time in their last 11 knockouts. Even after 120 minutes, neither side could find a winning goal forcing penalties.

Meanwhile, during the penalty shootout, Unai Simón stepped up to make two saves to deny penalty-shootout experts Croatia as Dani Carvajal scored the final kick with a panenka.

Meanwhile, in the third-place match earlier on Sunday, Italy put their semifinal loss to Spain behind them to beat hosts the Netherlands 3-2 in a five-goal thriller. Italy lost 2-1 to Spain in the semifinal, while the Netherlands was well beaten by 4-2 after extra time by Croatia in the semifinal.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu