Spain kick off Euro 2024 with resounding win over Croatia

One of the question marks for Spain heading into Euro 2023 was not whether they would be able to create enough goal scoring opportunities, rather who was going to put them away.

For one game at least, they silenced those critics as three different players scored for Spain in their 3-0 win over Croatia in their debut at Euro 2024.

Alvaro Morata opened the score for Spain in the 29th minute with Fabian Ruiz sending in a brilliant through ball, splitting the Croatian center backs as Morata finished well to put his side ahead.

It wouldn't take long for Spain to double their lead as three minutes later, Pedri found Fabian Ruiz just outside the area. Ruiz easily got away from Luka Modrić before he lined up his shot to give Spain the 2-0 lead.

"My goal [came from] a super pass into me from Pedri," Ruiz said after the game. 'I saw Luka Modrić and thought I could cut inside him, I went a bit wide, Brozović was coming so I cut onto my left and, luckily, the ball went in."

The third and final goal for Spain came right before the end of the first half and it was a bit of a history making one as well. Lamine Yamal delivered an inch-perfect cross to Dani Carvajal who only had to stick his leg out to guide it past the goalkeeper.

Having started, Lamine Yamal became the youngest ever player to start in a Euro. With the assist, naturally, he became the youngest player to have an assist in the Euros. He had an opportunity to score in the second half but saw his effort saved.

"I'm thrilled with the win, for my EURO debut and we are all already thinking about the next match," Yamal said. "I'm there for the coach and for the team whether I play wide, inside, whether I'm attacking, creating or defending. Whatever is needed. We are an efficient, hard-working team and you've seen months of hard work come to fruition today."

Croatia had the opportunity to make things interesting in the second half when Rodri committed a penalty. The penalty was saved but scored on the rebound. However, it was called back after a VAR review where Ivan Perisic encroanched before the penalty was taken. He was the one who got to the rebound first and provided the assist.

The three-goal win puts Spain within a decent shout of qualifying for the knockout round. In tournaments, goal differential can make a huge difference.

The win also gives them confidence given some of the doubts heading in to the Euros. Their next match is likely to be the most difficult one of the group stage as they take on Italy, the defending champions, on Thursday, June 20.