Spain 3-0 Croatia

Euro 2024/Group B/Round 1

MOTM: Fabian Ruiz

Other standout performances include: Rodri, Lamine Yamal & Kovacic

Notable Stats:

• At 16 and 338 days, Lamine Yamal (Spain) is the youngest player to ever appear in a game at the UEFA European Championship finals.

• Spain had less possession (46.4%) than the opposition team for the first time in a competitive match since 2008 (Final vs Germany).

• Spain have become the first side to score 10 goals at the UEFA European Championship finals against the same opponent.

Game Stats: Spain 3-0 Croatia

• xG: 2.22 - 2.15

• xThreat: 1.29 - 1.22

• Possession: 46.4% - 53.6%

• Field Tilt: 55% - 45%

• Penalty Box Shots: 8 - 10

• PPDA: 10.8 - 11.9

• High Turnovers: 2 - 4

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 15 - 18

via MarkStatsBot

How Did Spain Win?

Here is how the two teams started the match and right away it was clear that Croatia didn’t look as settled and controlled as we are use to seeing in International tournaments. Kovacic stayed tight to Rodri. Brozovic was meant to cover Pedri, although he struggled to do so early on.

As Modric jumps up to press Nacho it was Sutalo that needed to press Fabian Ruiz. Croatia struggled to pull this off and Modric to cover that ground, Ruiz was always the spare man in the space in front of the defensive line.

For the buildup Croatia also struggled, Spain would pin then on one side after Morata/Pedri would close off passes into the midfield and their CBs would be forced to play out wide. Rodri and Ruiz were tightly following their man and the two wingers (Yamal/Williams) could then be very aggressive to win the ball.

Croatia adjusted by bringing their wingers inside in-possession and allowing the FBs to push high for width. Outnumbering Spain in the midfield but leaving a 2v2 at the back. Dropping Brozovic into the back line (RCB) when they were building up.

We saw the benefits in this adjustment as Kovacic was often the free man in the middle, getting on the ball and driving at the Spain back line. Missing one good chance whilst the score was level. It matters who the spare man is and Kovacic is not the ideal player in the final third.

When pushed back into a mid-block Spain struggled to find the right balance in midfield out of possession. Rodri and Ruiz working out their relationship as a pivot. Attackers in Williams and Yamal that tucked in but were pressing when they should have been closing off space, staying compact. One area to watch when Spain play other top teams in the tournament with better quality attackers.

The first goal saw the other side of the adjustment, the 2v2 left at the back. Rodri picks up the loose ball and passes to Ruiz. He threads the ball through to Morata running in-behind.

Having just two CBs at the back as the full-backs pushed up high meant their was space out wide for Spain to exploit. The second goal starts with a ball over the top down the left flank, Yamal chases down and passes inside to Pedri. He holds on long enough to find Fabian Ruiz who provides a wonderful bit of skill to beat Modric/Brozovic and score.

Along with having a midfield advantage in-possession, Croatia could exploit the space left outside when Yamal and Williams tuck-in. Gvardiol had a couple of chances to get into that space but they couldn’t capabilities on it like perhaps a different team might.

The third goal for Spain came from a brilliant Lamine Yamal cross to Dani Carvajal.

We saw a new style of Spain in this game, the willingness to play more direct with their quick and creative wingers. The team you associate with having too much passing now has the penetration from wide areas they lacked in recent years. Quite obvious when you look at the passing maps below, Spain using their wingers whilst Croatia used their FBs to attack wide spaces.

Lamine Yamal has to be mentioned, as the youngest player in the history of the competition and he’ll be favorite for young player of the tournament.

Should have had a goal in this game, brilliant cross for the third goal and he’s key to Spain in the final third. Against Croatia they would play very asymmetrical at times with Yamal high and wide. Carvajal would support to offer him a back pass. Setup to his strengths.

Nico Williams came inside more between the RB and RCB of Croatia and that caused some problems for them. Dani Olmo had a bright spell off the bench but struggled to find the final pass or get a good shot off.

Different dynamic from Spain in this tournament but not without their faults. Neither would I count out Croatia just yet. Both sides will need to make adjustments before they reach the knockout stages.

Xhaka & Akanji Star For Switzerland

Hungary was seen as the dark horse heading into the tournament but they are looking more like Turkey in Euro 2020. Switzerland were excellent in this match and a huge part of that was having both Xhaka and Akanji in the team. Able to control and recycle possession.

Aebischer and Vargas able to interchange on the left side which meant he got free for passes between the lines. The first goal was exactly that from Akanji to Aebischer who foundand.

Xhaka was at the heart of everything for Switzerland, composed on the ball under pressure. Able to recycle possession with Akanji and find the dangerous passes in the final third.

Whether it’s a pass or carry, Switzerland progressed the ball through Akanji and Xhaka. A mention for Rodriguez who was often the player Akanji found first to progress the ball.

Players that can control the game, keep it tight and remain patient until a hole opens. The likes of Duah and Embolo up front to get in behind. Switzerland are no easy team to play and likely make it through to the knockout rounds. They could even cause Germany problems in the last group game.

Let’s say they go through runners up in group A that means they face off against group B runners up (Spain/Croatia/Italy) and they’ve got the tools to beat those teams.

Italy 2-1 Albania

A quick mention on Italy who impressed me more than I expected in the tournament. Having to breakdown a tough low-block from Albania. Italy outnumbered them in midfield as Pellegrini came inside and Dimarco became their left winger. Chiesa was great on the right side for them, rumored to be up for sale this summer.

Calafiori is a promising defender who had an exceptional season with Bolgna, given the license to push up in that left channel but was very fortunate with the last minute chance Albania had in the second half.

Here is a look at that shape on the night, Barella was another player that performed and had injury concerns coming into the tournament. Key player for Inter Milan this season and was operating all across the pitch. Popping up with Chiesa in one moment and Dimarco the next.

Jorginho alongside Barella continued to show his passing ability, although not as progressive as they will need him to be to beat better teams.

Look forward to seeing how Italy get on against Spain and Croatia.

Spain have the wide threats to expose them. Croatia able to shutdown the central spaces to really stifle Italy progressing the ball.

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