Croatia vs Spain LIVE! Nations League final match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction today
A new name will be carved onto the Nations League trophy tonight when Croatia face Spain in the 2023 in Rotterdam. It has been a thrilling era for Luka Modric and Co, who have two impressive World Cup runs and now potentially a piece of major silverware to show for it.
Zlatko Dalic has put together a talented team that has developed a certain penchant for winning knockout games of football in extra time, a feat they pulled off again when downing Netherlands in an entertaining semi-final during the week. Spain, meanwhile, edged Italy via a late Joselu goal.
La Roja lost the last Nations League final to France in controversial circumstances and Luis de la Fuente would certainly benefit from a trophy early in his so-far mixed tenure. Josip Sutalo and Rodrigo Moreno are doubts ahead of the teams being announced. Follow Croatia vs Spain LIVE via Standard Sport’s Nations League final blog!
Live updates
Marco Asensio starts for Spain
Marco Asensio comes into the line-up for Spain tonight, replacing Rodrigo Moreno in one of two changes by Luis de la Fuente.
Fabian Ruiz also starts, replacing Mikel Merino in the midfield.
How Spain line up
Spain XI: Simon; Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba; Fabian, Rodri; Asensio, Gavi, Pino; Morata.
Croatia vs Spain match odds
Croatia to lift the trophy: 8/5
Spain to lift the trophy: 1/2
Draw (in 90 mins): 23/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Fans make their way into De Kuip
Spain say they will be backed by 6,000 La Roja fans in Rotterdam tonight.
They may well feel like the away team though, with 14,000 Croatians in the house for the semi-final and potentially more for this one!
Croatia vs Spain: Countdown to kick-off
We’re expecting team news shortly before kick-off in just over 90 minutes’ time.
Take a look around the Spain dressing room…
Throwback: Spain edge Croatia in Euro 2020 thriller
Head-to-head record
Croatia wins: 3
Draws: 1
Spain wins: 5
Italy claim Nations League play-off victory
Earlier on, we had the Nations League third-place play-off between Italy and the Netherlands.
It was a 3-2 win for the Azzurri, who led early on by goals from Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi.
Federico Chiesa reinforced Italy’s lead after Steven Bergwijn’s goal back, with Georginio Wijnaldum netting a late consolation.
Evening Standard score prediction
Spain are favourites to lift the trophy, but this Croatia side have shown time and time again that they do not know when they are beaten.
They have come close to securing silverware in major tournaments in recent years, and this could be Croatia’s time to finally get over the line at the end of what could be a long night.
A 1-1 draw, Croatia to win on penalties.
Predicted Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Alba; Merino, Rodri; Asensio, Gavi, Pino; Morata.
