Spain gamers have fun with the trophy after profitable the Nations League ultimate soccer match between Croatia and Spain at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands on June 18, 2023.| Photo Credit: AP

Spain's 11-year trophy drought is over. Croatia and its veteran captain Luka Modric are nonetheless ready for his or her first worldwide title.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon saved two photographs as Spain beat Croatia in a penalty shootout after their tense Nations League ultimate had completed 0-0 Sunday.

The Bilbao goalkeeper used his ft to avoid wasting a penalty by Lovro Majer when the shootout was stage at 3-3 after which dived full-length to tip Bruno Petković's spot kick across the put up.

Dani Carvajal transformed his penalty — with a “Panenka” chip — to seal the victory.

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente mentioned Carvajal had taken penalties nicely in follow forward of the ultimate.

“He has a fantastic personality and that’s the way he decided to take it,” he mentioned. “We have total confidence in his ability to take penalties.”

Spain’s different earlier titles got here within the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 1964, 2008 and 2012.

Midfielder Rodri, who punched the air after scoring his penalty, has 4 titles this season after additionally profitable a historic treble together with his membership, Manchester City. He was named the participant of the Nations League match to cap his memorable yr.

Spain didn't handle a shot heading in the right direction till the 84th minute of the match and when substitute Ansu Fati lastly seemed like breaking the stalemate, Ivan Perišić was on the aim line to dam his effort. It was Spain's solely goal-bound try, in comparison with 5 by Croatia.

In the primary interval of additional time, Majer broke via and fell within the penalty space beneath a problem by Nacho, however German referee Felix Zwayer dominated that the Spain defender had performed the ball and waved off Croatia’s appeals for a penalty.

“I think it makes the win even more epic doing it this way,” De La Fuente mentioned.

Croatia’s followers — many sporting shirts with Modric’s identify and No. 10 on the again — far outnumbered their Spanish counterparts at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.

Spain gamers have fun with the trophy after profitable the Nations League ultimate soccer match between Croatia and Spain at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands on June 18, 2023. Spain received 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 0-0.| Photo Credit:AP

But they had been pressured to go away disillusioned as their nation and the 37-year-old Modric continued their await a primary worldwide title.

Croatia completed second on the World Cup in 2018 and third in Qatar final yr. Modric, in the meantime, has received the Champions League 5 occasions with Real Madrid and was named FIFA’s world participant of the yr in 2018, breaking the decade-long dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the title. But he has not been capable of cap his glittering profession with worldwide honors.

Whether he may have one other attempt at subsequent yr's European Championships stays to be seen.

“I’d love Luka to stay,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic mentioned. “He’s a very important player for us.”

De La Fuente agreed.

“I hope he carries on as a result of we by no means need nice gamers to go away the sport," he said.

Spain went a step better than the last Nations League final in 2021, when it lost to France. Not bad for a team with a coach, Luis De La Fuente, who only took charge after the World Cup in Qatar and came in for criticism when his team lost 2-0 to Scotland in European Championship qualifying.

Spain's players went to a small section of their fans in one corner of the stadium to celebrate their victory.

Both sides came close in the first half.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković fumbled an innocuous shot by Fabián Ruiz and the ball bounced off the post in the ninth minute, but Livaković recovered quickly to block an attempt by Álvaro Morata, who was flagged offside. Three minutes later, Gavi dragged a shot just wide.

But after weathering the early storm, Croatia — with Modric directing the action from midfield — then created the best chances.

Twice, Modric curled crosses to find Ivan Perišić at the far post but both times Simon in the Spain goal saved. But he saved his two best saves for the penalty shootout.

Italy third — Again

Federico Dimarco scored within the sixth minute and Davide Frattesi poked dwelling a rebound to double the lead within the twentieth to place Italy heading in the right direction to beating the Netherlands 3-2 to safe third place within the Nations League for the second time in two makes an attempt.

Steven Bergwijn put the Netherlands again in rivalry within the 68th minute just for Federico Chiesa to revive the Azzurri’s two-goal lead 4 minutes later. Substitute Georginio Wijnaldum accomplished the scoring with one minute of regulation time to go as Italy held on.

The defeat in Enschede meant that Ronald Koeman’s workforce conceded seven objectives in two matches as hosts of the Nations League ultimate 4, after dropping 4-2 to Croatia after further time on Wednesday. Spain beat Italy 2-1 to arrange the ultimate.