Spain get their Euro 2024 campaign underway on Saturday as they face one of the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists in Croatia.
Luis de la Fuente has plenty of tremendous attacking options in his squad; one of the most difficult parts of his job this month might be deciding which to use and how to align them without sacrificing defensive balance. Spain aren’t among the very favourites but have plenty of reason to feel they can go deep in the tournament – we might learn much from this opening game about their chances.
Croatia, meanwhile, have a very familiar-looking squad which is packed with experience, but they will have questions over them of whether it has evolved enough as a squad and has enough goals. Luka Modric remains a key component for them and can win a game on his day – as many of Spain’s stars know all too well, of course. Follow all the the build-up to Spain vs Croatia below including the latest updates from the early kick-off between Hungary and Switzerland:
Croatia riding plenty of momentum into Euro 2024 opener versus Spain
Croatia are in fine form themselves, having won their last six games ahead of Euro 2024. In fact, last time out they beat Portugal, who are well favoured this month…
Here’s Croatia have looked recently, working backwards from their most recent game:
Portugal 1-2 Croatia (8 June)
Croatia 3-0 North Macedonia (3 June)
Egypt 2-4 Croatia (26 March)
Tunisia 0-0 Croatia [4-5 on penalties] (23 March)
Croatia 1-0 Armenia (21 November)
Latvia 0-2 Croatia (18 November)
Alex Pattle15 June 2024 16:12
Spain full of goals ahead of Croatia showdown at Euro 2024
Spain have been brutal in front of goal in recent games. Here’s a look at their results, from most recent working backwards, ahead of Euro 2024:
Spain 5-1 Northern Ireland (8 June)
Spain 5-0 Andorra (5 June)
Spain 3-3 Brazil (26 March)
Spain 0-1 Colombia (22 March)
Spain 3-1 Georgia (19 November)
Spain 3-1 Cyprus (16 November)
Alex Pattle15 June 2024 16:03
FT: Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
So after the first round of fixtures in Group A, this is how the table is looking.
1 – Germany – 3 points, GD +4
2 – Switzerland, 3 points, GD +2
3 – Hungary, 0 points, GD -2
4 – Scotland, 0 points, GD -4
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 16:00
FULL-TIME: Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
Hungary are still trying to force a goal here, but this game is over.
The referee blows for full-time on 97 minutes, and it’s a brilliant start for the Swiss with a well-earned three points.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 15:55
Euro 2024: Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
After a brief VAR check, the goal is given.
Switzerland attack again and Embolo has it again on the wing, but his cross just misses Xhaka.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 15:54
Spain v Croatia: Official line-ups
Spain XI: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Nico Williams
Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric; Budimir
Jack Rathborn15 June 2024 15:54
GOAL! Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
GOAL!! And Embolo has made sure of the win!
Sommer goes long and Bolla heads it into no man’s land. It runs straight into the path of Embolo, who brings it down brilliantly with his chest and calmly lifts it over the onrushing Gulacsi and into the net.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 15:52
Euro 2024: Hungary 1-2 Switzerland
Szoboszlai swings in an enticing free-kick towards Adam, but he can’t reach before Sommer.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 15:50
Euro 2024: Hungary 1-2 Switzerland
There’ll be five minutes of added time here.
It’s brilliant from Embolo as he picks it up near halfway and surges towards the box. He plays a decent ball through but Rieder’s first touch is poor, and though he manages to round the ‘keeper, he goes too wide and his shot ends up being cleared off the line.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 15:49