European Red win the third edition of the UEFA Nations League. After drawing a goalless draw with Croatia in 120 minutes, they won 5-4 in the final round, goalkeeper Unai Simón being key. The Hispanic team had not won a crown, at the absolute level, since Euro 2012.
There Nations League It has a champion in its 2022-2023 edition. It is the selection of Spain who beat Croatia in the final in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to become the third monarch in the young history of this competition created by UEFA, after Portugal (18-19) and France (20-21). After a tie in 120 minutes, penalties handed the trophy to the Iberians.
The decisive duel found two recurring artists in international competitions, but crossing different eras. In the case of the Balkans, their remarkable generation led by Luka Modric (and assisted by Brozovic, Kovacic, Perisic and several others) aspired to clinch an unprecedented crown for the senior team, which finished on the podium in the last two World Cups. world. For their part, the Hispanics have a new stage under the command of Luis De la Fuente, who was the youth coach, who took over after the stumble in Qatar with Luis Enrique.
Overall it was an equal game, with good ball handling in both teams . There weren’t too many risks. Neither wanted to make mistakes that could cost a goal. It is perhaps for this reason that the successive occasions did not generate great danger in the respective areas. The first chance was given to Spain, with a Gavi shot that just missed the mark within 12 minutes.
One of the interesting values of the first half was ivan perisic . The footballer, right-handed but who plays left-handed, nominally appeared as left-back in the line of four formed by Zlatko Dalic. It was thrown around a lot, taking up the entire length of the track. In the 1930s, a header from former Inter was contained by goalkeeper Unai Simón. Perisic was one of the most active in the Croatian attacking side. If Croatia tried to be more direct in attack, Spain elaborated more. Beyond the styles, the marker didn’t move as the options were few and unclear.
As the minutes passed and the zero was unalterable, the tension rose little by little. Any failure was to give the cup to the rival. The European Reds lacked more offensive power. The closest thing they generated was a Marco Asensio header that went high, at 57′. De la Fuente made two changes, but position by position: Ansu Fati for Pino, and Joselu for Morata.
Towards the end, Spain were closer and had the best chance of the game. In the 84th minute, Ansu Fati had the title goal at his feet but his shot was cleared off the line by Perisic. The zero remained and the final went to extra time, a habit for the Croatians in knockout matches.
The result was wide open. The goal could come in either of two areas. In addition to the tension, fatigue was increasingly felt. In extra time, Dani Olmo had two clear options to convert but couldn’t. As the tie remained, the final went to penalties. From the 12 steps, Spain won. It was a 5-4 for the Iberians. Dani Carvajal took the title penalty. The character was goalkeeper Unai Simón, who largely contained shots from Majer and Petkovic.
In this way, the Spanish team is again champion of its absolute category after 11 years. Their last crown was Euro 2012, when they beat Italy in kyiv, in this great casting led by Vicente Del Bosque.
Italy closes the podium
first round, Italy won the definition of third place, with a 3-2 victory over the Netherlands. The last Eurocup champion led 2-0 in 20 minutes, thanks to goals from Federico Dimarco (6′) and Davide Frattesi (20′). Towards the second part, the Dutch cast changed their attitude and found the discount via Steven Bergwijn (68′). When the duel leaned towards the OrangeFederico Chiesa converted the third for the Azzuri (72′). At the epilogue, the Netherlands again downgraded, this time with Georginio Wijnaldum (89′).
In this way, Roberto Mancini’s team achieved bronze in the Nations League. On the other hand, Ronald Koeman’s squad has been affected, since they were the hosts of the final phase of the tournament and lost both their matches if the semi-final against Croatia is added.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
