Dani Carvajal scores as Spain trounces Luka Modrić’s Croatia.

Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

If there was talk of a “group of death” before kick-off, Spain made sure that the focus was switched onto their title chances at the European Championship as they thrashed Croatia 3-0 in their opening group stage game to get off to the perfect start.

Among those on the scoresheet was Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, who became Spain’s oldest ever goalscorer in a European Championship in the process at 32 years and 156 days. To add to that record, the assist came from Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player ever to assist for Spain at a Euro tournament.

His goal came on the stroke of half-time, following goals from Álvaro Morata and Fabián Ruiz. A corner routine saw some short passes played and as Croatia’s defence moved out, Carvajal timed his run perfectly to prod beyond Dominik Livaković from a central position.

A Spanish defence made at Valdebebas

Among Luis de la Fuente’s starting line-up were two Real Madrid youth products from La Fábrica in the form of Dani Carvajal and Nacho Fernández. The two brought experience and quality to a defence completed by Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.

Nacho had been in contention with Al Nassr’s Aymeric Laporte for a starting role, but a knock to the former Manchester City man saw Nacho edge ahead. He certainly staked his claim to be first choice from this point on, recording six recoveries, six clearances and winning four out of five duels. He looked like the leader that this defensive unit has lacked at times.

On the right, Carvajal not only got his goal but also won three of his four duels as neither Andrej Kramarić nor Ivan Perisić could find a way past him. He continued his fine form from the tail end of the season with Real Madrid, and some even began to speak of a potential Ballon d’Or should he lead Spain to glory in Germany.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Luka Modrić against his team-mates

For Croatia, Luka Modrić donned the captain’s armband and looked to lead by example. Aged 38 and taking part in his fifth European Championship, he wasn’t at his imperious best in a side full of players who did not produce the standard that their fans, who dominated the Olympiastadion in Berlin, would expect.

The veteran was hauled off just after the hour mark having won only one of five duels and looking uncharacteristically sloppy in possession, though his 90% pass completion rate doesn’t quite tell the full story. Nobody in the Croatia midfield had a good day, but more will be demanded from the captain if Croatia are to go beyond the early rounds of this tournament.

Even without Modrić being at his best, following his substitution, Croatia did have a chance to get themselves back into the game on 80 minutes, but Bruno Petković had his penalty saved with a fine save by Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón.