The Nations League comes to its conclusion on Sunday as Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia take on Luis de la Fuente’s Spain at Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam.
It’s almost becoming a certainty that Croatia will battle it out in extra time at major tournaments. Once again, they needed 120 minutes to make it through against the Netherlands midweek but here they are in the final.
It was an epic clash on Wednesday as Vatreni came from a goal down to take the lead against Ronald Koeman’s side. A late equaliser from Noah Lang took the game to the distance but a fine strike by Bruno Petkovic and a Luka Modric penalty secured Croatia’s spot in the final.
Spain bounced back from their disappointing defeat away to Scotland in the March qualifiers with a 2-1 triumph over Roberto Mancini’s Italy on Thursday. A Yeremy Pino opener was cancelled out soon after when Ciro Immobile struck from the spot but Joselu snatched a late victory with just a couple of minutes of regulation time left on the clock.
After a disappointing World Cup campaign that saw La Roja win just one match, exiting at the round of 16 stage against Morocco, Spain decided to part ways with Luis Enrique after Qatar. That has seen De la Fuente come in as boss and he has a chance at delivering the nation’s first title since Euro 2012.
Croatia’s perennial midfield is set to take centre stage once more as Marcelo Brozovic, Modric and Mateo Kovacic are likely to occupy the positions in the middle of the park. It could be the last time that happens at an international tournament, however, as 37-year-old Modric heads towards the end of his illustrious career.
A mix of experience and youth is the approach that La Roja have taken to their squad of late. Veteran Jesus Navas will likely get the nod down the right flank once more, whilst 30-year-old captain Alvaro Morata should start up top. 20-year-old Pino could retain his spot in the selection after his goal and starlet Gavi is the key man in the midfield.
We saw a plethora of goals when these two sides last met at Euro 2020. A six-goal thriller after 90 minutes, that included a fightback from 3-1 down by Croatia, took the game to extra time before Morata and Mikel Oyarzabal secured a spot in the quarter-finals for Spain.
Nations League action between the two teams served up plenty of drama back in 2018 as well. Croatia edged a five-goal affair on their own turf but Spain had dismantled Vatreni 6-0 in the reverse matchup. Recent history would seem to suggest we could be in line for an action-packed thriller on Sunday.
Dalic was without his star defender Josko Gvardiol for the semi-final against the Netherlands and he will be unavailable once more here due to injury. That will likely see 34-year-old Domagoj Vida keep his spot at the heart of the defence next to Josip Sutalo. Forward Marko Livaja departed the squad last week after a fan altercation so will miss out.
Robin Le Normand, who made his Spain debut against Italy midweek, will see his spot in the side come under scrutiny after he gave away a penalty on Thursday. Real Madrid’s Nacho Fernandez is also an option. There shouldn’t be any fresh concerns for La Roja but Pedri is expected to remain out due to injury.
Those in the UK can watch the Nations League final live on Channel 4 on Sunday.
Expert Insight: It should be an exciting final that really could go either way between two superb teams who continue to go deep at international tournaments. Croatia love extra time and penalties and we will likely see the match go on until late. Expect goals and an entertaining affair.
UEFA Nations League