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Spain won Nations League after thrilling penalties with Croatia

Spain won Nations League after thrilling penalties with Croatia as Luka Modric missed out on yet another major international title.

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Dani Carvajal finished the shoot-out by chipping home the winning and sealed a 5-4 victory for La Roja after Unai Simon had saved from Bruno Petkovic.

Spain 0-0 Croatia – Nations League 2023 Final highlights

The tight 2023 Nations League final ended goalless after extra time, and Croatia had been thought to be the better side on penalties, having won multiple games during the previous World Cup and Euro by the spot-kick.

However, it was a true heartbreak for Modric, who had reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third in Qatar 2022.

Spain won Nations league after a thrilling shoot-out with Croatia

Spain were defending with great performances by Aymeric Laporte. At the same time, Marco Asensio also came close with a header, and Ansu Fati’s attempt was denied on the line by Ivan Perisic during the second half.

Croatia continued to press to prevent extra times, but neither side could find a winning goal.

Extra time was required, but no winner, so penalties decided the title, and Spain tasted their first international trophy for 11 years since their Euro 2012 victory.

Last dance for Modric

The dedicated skipper and legend who earned his 166 international caps failed again in his search for the first piece of international silverware.

Modric won everything possible during his glittering club career, with the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and even the Ballon d’Or.

Luka Modric

But he seemed to have his last game after the possibly final chance to deliver for his country with a trophy, which he could not succeed.

The 37-year-old key-maker sets to announce his international career this week.

Defeat may yet see him stay on to play in next summer’s European Championship in Germany.