Croatia has been in formidable form, losing only once in their last seven World Cup matches and continuing their strong performances by pushing Spain to penalties in the Nations League final. They remain unbeaten in their last six outings. In contrast, Spain’s record in recent major tournament group stages is less impressive, with just three wins in their last nine games.
Group B at Euro 2024 promises to be highly competitive, featuring the reigning champions Italy, along with Spain, Croatia, and a robust Albanian team. The opening match in Berlin is set to be crucial for advancing from this challenging group.
This match could evolve into a tactical standoff, with both teams known for drawing in big games. Croatia excels in knockout stages and is adept at tight, cautious play in tournaments. Spain, despite their technical prowess, have struggled to find a consistent goalscorer, often finding themselves stymied against higher-calibre teams.
Croatia as Potential Early Spoilers Croatia, buoyed by their third-place finish at the last World Cup, enter this tournament with some favourable odds. Recent victories, including a win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam and a strong showing against Spain, underscore their capability for deep runs in tournaments. The Croatians are coming off a 2-1 victory over Portugal in their last friendly and have spent a week preparing for their Euro opener in Berlin.
Spain’s Slow Tournament Starts Spain has had a tendency to start slowly at major tournaments. Their last two World Cups and Euro 2020 each saw them win only one group-stage game. While they have recorded some large victories against weaker teams, such as their wins against Costa Rica and Slovakia, these are outliers in their recent tournament form. Spain might find it challenging against a Croatian team that is not only well-organized but also adept at controlling the game.
Goals could be scarce in this match, but Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol might be one to watch as an unlikely goalscorer. After a strong finish to the Premier League season and scoring in his last World Cup game, he could be a surprising threat in Berlin.
Betting tip – Croatia and draw double chance at 10/11
