Goalkeeper Unai Simon saved two penalties in a shootout, as Spain finally ended their 11-year trophy drought in the Nations League final.
The tense showpiece finished 0-0 after extra time, before Luis de la Fuente’s side were victorious when the tie went to spot kicks.
Spain lift the Nations League trophy after defeating Croatia on penalties
GettyGutted Luka Modric looks on after Croatia are beaten[/caption]
Athletic Bilbao keeper Simon became the hero, using his feet to save a penalty by Lovro Majer when the shootout was level at 3-3.
Then, he dived spectacularly full-length to tip Bruno Petkovi’s spot kick around the post.
Up stepped Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal to convert his penalty with a cheeky Panenka and seal the victory for his country.
Spain last tournament win came at the 2012 European Championship, when they defeated Italy 4-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv.
But, they made harder work of it tonight. They struggled to get a shot on target until the 84th minute, and when substitute Ansu Fati finally looked like breaking the stalemate, Ivan Perii was on the goal line to block his effort.
Incredibly, it was Spain’s only goal-bound attempt, compared to Croatia’s five.
In the first period of extra time, Majer broke through and fell in the penalty area under a challenge by Nacho, but German referee Felix Zwayer ruled that the Spain defender had played the ball and waved off Croatia’s appeals for a penalty.
APUnai Simon was the hero for Spain saving two penatlies in the shootout[/caption]
GettyDani Carvajal’s cheeky Panenka penalty sealed the shootout win[/caption]
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Croatia’s fans many wearing shirts with talismanic captain Luka Modric’s name and No. 10 on the back — far outnumbered their Spanish counterparts at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.
But they were forced to leave disappointed as their nation and the 37-year-old Modric continued their wait for a first international title.