Ending an 11-year title drought, Spain emerged victorious against Croatia in a dramatic penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the Nations League final. Goalkeeper Unai Simon became the hero for Spain, saving two crucial penalties from Lovro Majer and Bruno Petković. Dani Carvajal sealed the win with a confident "Panenka" chip, securing Spain's first international trophy since the 2012 European Championship.
Spain's coach, Luis De La Fuente, praised Carvajal's composure and confidence in taking the decisive penalty. The victory adds to Spain's impressive trophy collection, which includes the 2010 World Cup and three European Championship titles.
Midfielder Rodri, who also scored in the shootout, enjoyed a remarkable season, winning a historic treble with Manchester City and being named player of the tournament in the Nations League. Despite not registering a shot on target until the 84th minute, Spain's resilience and Simon's heroics proved decisive.
Croatia, with their passionate fans and veteran captain Luka Modric, were left disappointed in their pursuit of a first major international title. Despite their strong performances in recent World Cups, finishing second in 2018 and third in 2022, Croatia's wait continues. Modric's future with the national team remains uncertain, but coach Zlatko Dalic expressed his desire for the influential midfielder to continue.
For Spain, the victory marked a significant turnaround after their disappointing World Cup campaign and recent criticism of coach De La Fuente. The team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure were evident throughout the tournament.
In the third-place playoff, Italy defeated the Netherlands 3-2, securing their second consecutive third-place finish in the Nations League. Goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Federico Chiesa secured the win for Italy despite late goals from the Netherlands.
