Marc Cucurella starts as Spain serve notice with 3-0 win over Croatia

06/15/2024 03:20 PM

Furiosas

Contrary to popular expectations, it was not Álex Grimaldo who started at left back for Spain in their opening match against fellow heavyweights Croatia, but instead it was our very own Marc Cucurella, making just his sixth appearance for La Furia Roja.

But Cucu finished the season strongly and has now started four of Spain's last five in all competitions and friendlies. Perhaps we should start calling him the first-choice.

In any case, in what was expected to be a fairly even matchup between nations that have regularly featured in the latter rounds of recent Euros (Spain especially) and World Cups (Croatia especially), turned out to be anything but, particularly on the scoreboard.

While Croatia had their chances, at least once they settled into the game, Spain actually made theirs count, with Álvaro Morata getting them on the scoreboard just before the half-hour mark, Fábian Ruiz (who set up that first with a wonderful throughball) quickly doubling that advantage, and Dani Carvajal making the win safe just before half-time. Croatia tried to make a game of it in the second half, but saw even their consolation goal from the penalty spot chalked off by VAR for an infraction. Not their day, I guess.

Croatia will lick their wounds and take on Albania next while things don't any easier for Spain as they take on Italy in this Group of Death.