BERLIN: Spain made a dream start to Euro 2024 as Alvaro Morata scored in a statement 3-0 victory over Croatia in Berlin on Saturday, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history.
The three-time European champions have often been accused of being toothless in attack during recent major tournaments, but produced an eye-catching display at the Olympiastadion to cut apart a disappointing Croatia.
Morata broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with his seventh Euros goal, moving joint-third on the all-time list alongside Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann.
Fabian Ruiz added a second shortly afterwards with a wonderful individual strike.
Yamal made his mark with the assist for Dani Carvajal to effectively kill the game as a contest on the stroke of half-time, while Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic missed a late penalty.
This repeat of last year’s Nations League final, won by Spain on penalties after a 0-0 draw, suggests La Roja are capable of contending for a record-breaking fourth European Championship title.
World Cup semifinalists Croatia, though, have it all to do if they are to reach the knockout phase for a fifth consecutive major tournament, with games against Albania and holders Italy to come in a difficult Group B.
Luka Modric, so often their inspiration, was substituted midway through the second half by coach Zlatko Dalic.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente named an exciting starting XI, including wingers Nico Williams and Yamal.
The Barcelona starlet, 16 years and 338 days old, beat the previous record for youngest player at a Euros held by Polish international Kacper Kozlowski, who played at Euro 2020 at 17 years and 246 days old.
Croatia enjoyed the vast majority of support from the stands, with their fans holding up one huge banner during their national anthem, reading “When we get going, heaven and earth will burn.”
But Croatia started slowly, as Spain dominated possession in trademark fashion.
Spain also showed their increasing versatility under De la Fuente with their first goal, as one excellent through ball from inside his own half by Ruiz sent Morata clean through and the captain made no mistake with a cool finish past a stranded Dominik Livakovic.
Ruiz put Spain in total control just three minutes later, jinking past two Croatia defenders inside the box before shooting through the legs of Josip Sutalo and into the bottom corner.
Croatia almost pulled one back immediately as the game started to echo the end-to-end nature of the two teams’ thrilling last-16 clash at Euro 2020, won 5-3 by Spain after extra time.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon got down quickly to keep out Marcelo Brozovic’s shot and Lovro Majer could only find the side-netting from the rebound.
Croatia continued to create chances, as Josko Gvardiol’s cross-cum-shot narrowly avoided both Ante Budimir in the center and the far post.
But full-back Carvajal, who scored the opening goal in Real Madrid’s Champions League final triumph over Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, put the game to bed in first-half added time.
Yamal collected the ball after a corner was cleared and curled a delicious cross into the middle for Carvajal to stretch and stab home on the volley.
Croatia tried to press forward early in the second period but left spaces for Spain to exploit and Yamal was denied another record for youngest Euros scorer when Livakovic produced a fine save to turn away his low effort.
Marc Cucurella, a controversial selection by De la Fuente at left-back, made a goal-saving block to prevent Josip Stanisic giving Croatia hope.
Substitute Petkovic thought he had pulled one back late on when he tapped in after his penalty was saved by Simon.
But the goal was ruled out by VAR for encroachment by Ivan Perisic as Spain added a clean sheet to an almost perfect outing.
Spain romp past Croatia in opener as Yamal makes Euros history
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Spain romp past Croatia in opener as Yamal makes Euros history
- The three-time European champions have often been accused of being toothless in attack during recent major tournaments
- Morata broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with his seventh Euros goal
Senegal talisman Mane overcame grief to become an African icon
- “When I was young my dad was always saying how proud he was of me. He was a man with a big heart,” Mane said
- A goalless 2022 AFCON final against Egypt in Yaounde meant a penalty shootout, and Mane converted the spot kick that brought glory to Senegal
JOHANNESBURG: Senegal talisman and striker Sadio Mane could have missed out on a glittering football career had he agreed with a wish of his late father.
The 33-year-old was discouraged from playing football as a child because his father, a devout Muslim, wanted his son to concentrate on religious studies instead.
Mane, who would go on to become an African football icon, made this revelation when speaking to a senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) official.
Despite differing views about football, the two-time African player of the year stressed his love for his father, and how heartbroken he was as a seven-year-old when his parent died.
“When I was young my dad was always saying how proud he was of me. He was a man with a big heart. His death had a major impact on me and the rest of my family,” Mane said.
“I said to myself — now I have to do my best to help my mother. That is a hard thing to deal with when you are so young.”
But he succeeded, going on to play for clubs in France, Austria, England, Germany and Saudi Arabia, and helping his country win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 2002.
After stints with Metz and Salzburg, Mane joined Southampton in 2014 and his 176-second hat-trick against Aston Villa remains the fastest in the Premier League.
After two seasons with the Saints, Mane joined Liverpool, operated alongside Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, and the pair helped bring many trophies to Anfield.
The silverware haul included the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
After six seasons with the Reds, Mane spent one at Bayern Munich, then joined many other African stars in the lucrative Saudi Pro League.
- Happy memories -
A goalless 2022 AFCON final against Egypt in Yaounde meant a penalty shootout, and Mane converted the spot kick that brought glory to Senegal.
Victory was particularly joyful as the Teranga Lions had also reached the previous AFCON final, three years earlier in Cairo, but conceded after just two minutes and lost 1-0 to Algeria.
Senegal were unable to achieve back-to-back titles in 2024, though, losing on penalties to hosts and eventual champions Ivory Coast in a round-of-16 clash.
They have been drawn with Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin in Group D at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, which kicks off on Sunday.
The clash with the Congolese will bring back happy memories for the Senegalese, who came from two goals behind to win 3-2 in Kinshasa last October and went on to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Mane did not score in the DR Congo capital, but a month later netted twice in a 4-0 home victory over Mauritania that sealed the World Cup slot.
Senegal hit 22 goals in 10 World Cup qualifiers and Mane was the leading scorer with five, one more than Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.
Like a number of other 2025 AFCON title hopefuls, Senegal are spoilt for choice when head coach Pape Thiaw selects his strikers.
Mane of Al Nassr, Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea to Bayern Munich, Iliman Ndiaye of Everton and Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace are just some of the options.
Then there is 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye from Champions League title-holders Paris Saint-Germain, who made his international debut in a friendly defeat by Brazil last month.
A few days later he became the youngest scorer for Senegal by netting in an 8-0 rout of Kenya in another AFCON warm-up match.
Mane scored a hat-trick against the east Africans — a timely reminder to AFCON rivals that age has not diminished his predatory instincts.
Many observers have listed Senegal among the favorites to become champions again in Morocco and, if they succeed, Mane is set to play a key role.
“We are among the favorites and accept that. I want a team that dominates,” said Thiaw, who was in the Senegal squad that reached the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals.
