No international tournament is complete without a ‘group of death’.
Euro 2024 might have two, with France and the Netherlands facing a challenge from Austria in Group D, while heavyweights Spain, Croatia, and Italy compete in Group B.
Read More: EURO 2024 Group A – Preview, Analysis, Strengths And Weaknesses
Spain vs Croatia: Match Preview
Spain and Croatia will begin Group B play on Saturday in what promises to be an engaging match at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Spain, the only team to secure consecutive Euro titles in 2008 and 2012, have only managed two knockout stage wins in their last five major tournaments. During Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, Spain’s possession-focused, patient style, highlighted by young talents such as Gavi and Pedri, earned them many admirers but not enough wins.
They narrowly advanced past Switzerland in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals via penalties before losing to Italy in a semi-final shootout. In the 2022 World Cup, they were eliminated by Morocco in the first knockout round after a surprising group stage loss to Japan nearly saw them exit early.
Spain’s patient approach is well-established. They have had more possession than their opponents in each of their last 136 competitive matches, with the last instance of less possession occurring when they defeated Germany with 46% possession in the Euro 2008 final. Remarkably, Lamine Yamal, a member of their Euro 2024 squad, was not even a year old at that time.
Despite Gavi missing the tournament due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Luis de la Fuente will maintain Spain’s traditional style. The key to their success will be adding more impact to their patient build-up play, with wide players Yamal and Nico Williams potentially crucial in this aspect.
This season, Williams ranked second (191) and Yamal fourth (141) in La Liga for dribbles attempted. They also ranked third and fifth, respectively, for carries ending in a take-on, with Williams achieving 97 and Yamal 82.
Athletic Club’s Nico Williams has contributed to six goals (two goals, four assists) in 13 senior appearances for Spain. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal will become the youngest player in Euros history if he plays. Few nations can claim such an exciting pair of wingers.
Spain has previously triumphed over Croatia, defeating them at Euro 2020 and in the 2022-23 Nations League final. However, they must be cautious of the threat posed by Zlatko Dalic’s team on Saturday.
Like Spain, Croatia emphasizes control, but many argue they do so with a savvy that Spain has lost. At the 2022 World Cup, only Spain (135) had more sequences of 10+ passes than Croatia, with Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic orchestrating play in midfield.
Croatia’s style wasn’t universally admired, relying on the penalty shootout heroics of goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in their knockout victories over Japan and Brazil.
Despite playing all seven games, Croatia ranked only seventh in the tournament for expected goals, with their 7.05 xG being over five fewer than Brazil’s 12.08 xG achieved in five games.
However, Croatia’s strategy was not merely about maintaining possession until penalty shootouts. Dalic’s team led the tournament in high turnovers (59), shots from high turnovers (10), and pressed sequences (109).
Croatia, being tough to beat and adept in transition and possession, have rightly earned their reputation as tournament specialists. Spain would underestimate them at their peril.
Spain vs Croatia: Head-to-head
- Spain wins: 6
- Draws: 1
- Croatia wins: 3
There will be plenty of familiarity between these two teams, as Spain and Croatia are facing each other in a fourth consecutive edition of the Euros.
Previously, only Spain and Italy have met at four straight European Championships, from 2008 to 2020. They will also face off at a fifth successive tournament in Gelsenkirchen on June 20.
Spain have won two of their last three encounters with Croatia (5-3 at Euro 2020, 1-0 at Euro 2012), while Croatia triumphed 2-1 at Euro 2016.
Recent history suggests an entertaining match could be on the cards. Three of the last five meetings between Spain and Croatia have featured at least five goals, with the most recent—a 5-3 extra-time win for Spain three years ago—being the second-highest scoring game in Euros history, after France’s 5-4 win over Yugoslavia in 1960.
Spain vs Croatia: Recent Form
Spain
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWDLWW
Croatia
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWDWW
Spain vs Croatia: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Spain: Team News
Lamine Yamal is set to create history today as Spain kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia. Currently, Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski holds the record as the youngest player to appear in the tournament at 17 years and 246 days. However, Yamal will break this record if he takes the field this evening, as he will be just 16 years and 338 days old.
Already Spain’s youngest-ever player, Yamal is poised to add another record to his name by starting on the right wing in the Group B opener.
On the opposite flank, Nico Williams is expected to be selected, with captain Alvaro Morata leading the attack. In midfield, Rodri will anchor the Spanish team following an impressive season with Manchester City.
Unai Simon is anticipated to start in goal, leaving David Raya likely on the bench. There are multiple defensive options available, with Robin Le Normand slated to start alongside Nacho. While Aymeric Laporte’s absence is a setback due to his experience, height, and left-footed distribution, Nacho’s recent captaincy in Madrid’s Champions League triumph suggests a glass-half-full perspective rather than dwelling on the setback.
Spain Predicted Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Simón
- Defenders: Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Grimaldo
- Midfielders: Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri
- Forwards: Lamine, Morata, Williams
Injuries/Doubts: Laporte
Croatia: Team News
Croatia are poised to rely once again on their familiar midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, and Luka Modric. Ivan Perisic recovered from an ACL injury to make a comeback in the final weeks of the season with Hajduk Split, though his full fitness ahead of the tournament remains uncertain.
Bruno Petkovic is expected to spearhead the attack, but Ante Budimir strengthened his case by starting and scoring in a recent friendly against Portugal. Andrej Kramaric provides versatility across the front three. There is also a decision to be made regarding Josko Gvardol’s role; while he has excelled at left-back for Manchester City, he might again start in left-back for his national team, potentially allowing Pongračić step in at center-back if necessary.
Croatia Predicted Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Livaković
- Defenders: Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol
- Midfielders: Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić;
- Forwards: Majer, Budimir, Kramarić
Spain vs Croatia: Match Prediction
There is considerable excitement surrounding Spain, but Croatia’s extensive experience in major tournaments makes predicting a winner nearly impossible.
When and Where to Watch the Match LIVE in India?
UEFA Euro 2024 matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports channels: Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 can be accessed through the SonyLIV app and website.
