Spain vs Croatia - Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates as 16-year-old Lamine Yamal starts for Spain alongside Nacho and Nico Williams

3 months ago 27

BREAKING: Croatia team to face Spain

Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Kramaric, Budimir.

BREAKING: Spain team to face Croatia

Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Ruiz, Yamal, Morara, Williams.

Spain's 'responsibility' to excite fans

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Berlin:

Luis de la Fuente was asked on the eve of the game about his team being outnumbered in the stands and the feeling that Spain with its strong regional identities sometimes finds it difficult to unite behind its national team.

'We do find it hard to get that national feeling going,' he said. 'That’s our responsibility and we need to transmit that to fans. Winning games is best way. We must try to give all fans that opportunity. We want as many behind us as possible.

'We experienced similar in Rotterdam in the Nations League [when Spain beat Croatia on penalties last year] and dealt with it successfully.'

Head Coach Luis de la Fuente of Spain gestures during press conference at Olympiastadion on June 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Luciano Lima - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

The youngsters leading Spain's charge

A little bit more on the youngsters who will lead Spain's charge during the tournament.

Yamal is the posterboy, but the likes of Nico Williams and Pedri will also be key to the 2012 winners' success.

Luis De la Fuente's are bubbling and ready to go.

Youth takes on experience

So we have, according to our friends at SkyBet, the fifth favourites versus the ninth favourites today.

There will be a lot of star talent on display. Barcelona’s 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal will be one player of interest - he’s expected to start on the right for Spain this afternoon. His mate, Pedri, will play in midfield, alongside City star Rodri.

For Croatia, the old guard will be out in force with Luka Modric, 22 years Yamal’s senior, set to feature. As will the likes of Ivan Perisic, who left Tottenham this summer, and of course City defender Josko Gvardiol.

It may be one of those games where a moment of brilliance can win it. Jamal Musiala was the star last night in Germany’s win over Scotland - let’s see who can step up here.

Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group A - Cyprus v Spain - Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus - November 16, 2023 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their first goal with Gavi REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou/File Photo

Luka Modric of Croatia during a Croatia training session at the Olympic Stadium on June 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)

Spain vs Croatia is next up!

Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog for arguably the most hotly-anticipated match for today and potentiallt the whole group stage.

Spain and Croatia meet in the first game of Group B at Euro 2024, reigniting a modern rivalry which has been full of drama, goals and heartache for both sides.

This tie will see experience versus youth as Luis De la Fuente's starlets lead the charge for a Spanish side who are far from the European and global dominance they displayed throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Croatia on the other hand head into Euro 2024 as dark horses once again despite making it to last year’s Nations League final and walking away with bronze medals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ahead of kick-off, we will have updates, team news and quotes from the bosses as well as plenty of snaps from Berlin to showcase the atmosphere. Once the game gets underway at 5pm, make sure to stick with us as we will be providing minute-by-minute action of the Group B fixture.