Euro 2024 – Morata on the podium, not-so-chic shock, worn-out Croatia: the tops and flops of Spain – Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo, Michel Platini and… Alvaro Morata. By opening the score during this meeting, the Spanish striker became the third top scorer in the history of the Euro. With seven goals, the Atlético de Madrid player returned to the level of Alan Shearer and Antoine Griezmann. He will need to add two units to his total to equal the legendary number 10 of the Blues. But for that, he will have to recover quickly from an injury which forced him to leave the pitch quite early (67th).

Ronaldo appears out of reach, with 14 pawns marked. Let us remember, however, that the five-time Ballon d’Or is preparing to play a sixth major continental competition (25 matches in total), while Platini had scored all of his 9 goals in a single edition, in 1984.

Yamal, 16 years old and already the present

Before even touching his first ball, Lamine Yamal achieved a feat. That of becoming, at 16 years and 338 days, the youngest player in history to play in a Euro match. And the one who is already an indisputable starter at Barça recalled that he does not know pressure. The left-hander gave Joško Gvardiol some bad times, thanks to his confusing dribbling and his very particular gestures.

Above all, he presented his left paw to the general public, with a ball dropped to Dani Carvajal on the third Spanish goal (45th + 2). Without an extraordinary save from Dominik Livakovic, he would even have scored his first goal in a major competition (52nd). The future of La Roja is him. The present too.

PSG supporters who followed this Spain – Croatia must have rubbed their eyes more than once. Because the very tender Fabian Ruiz of the capital club has given way to a midfielder full of personality with the La Roja jersey. A decisive passer on Alvaro Morata’s opener (29th), the former Neapolitan scored what will certainly remain as one of the goals of the tournament three minutes later (32nd).

At the conclusion of an action that he had initiated with a well-felt change of wing, Ruiz linked a left hook, a right hook, and an unstoppable left cross strike. A very, very classy goal, which reminds us why Paris paid 22 million euros to steal it from Naples two years ago.

It was one of the most anticipated posters of the first day of the group stage. Because Spain had shown clear progress in recent months, and because Croatia, which had taken its place on the podium at the last two World Cups, seemed able to maintain its momentum. In the end, there was no real match, as La Roja was superior to Luka Modric’s teammates. In the first half as in the second, we even had a few lengths.

Kovacic (30 years old), Brozovic (31 years old), Modric (38 years old). This Croatian midfield trio is still unstoppable in 2024. But while it is supposed to represent the Vatreni’s greatest strength, it did not weigh on the debates on Saturday. As a symbol, the Madrilenian and the Citizen came out at the same time, after only 65 minutes of play, while their team was “pushing” to come back to the score.

Ivan Perisic (35 years old), 14 club matches this season after a cruciate ligament rupture, came into play without weighing. Croatia will have to find additional resources for its leaders who are still essential, but who can no longer take charge of everything.

Pongracic – Sutalo: they took on water

On paper, they appeared as weak points in an otherwise very strong Croatian eleven. In reality, Marin Pongracic and Josip Sutalo, the two men who made up the hinge, did not give any other impression. Less experienced and not used to playing at such a level, the Lecce and Ajax players were too naive in the middle. First by letting Morata escape full axis with a call from 40 meters. Then by being spectators of the small Ruiz festival. Finally forgetting Dani Carvajal on a cross from Lamine Yamal. Ouch.