UEFA Nations League 2023: Spain set to lock horns with Croatia in the Final on June 19

2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain have set up a meeting with 2018 FIFA World cup runners-up Croatia in the final of the UEFA Nations League 2023. It is going to be Spain’s 2nd consecutive appearance in the Nations League final. Croatia on the other hand will play the Finals for the first time.

This will be the 3rd Final of the UEFA Nations League which started 5 years ago in 2018. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal won the inaugural edition by 1-0 against Netherlands at the Estadio Do Dragao at Porto. In the following edition, then World champions France defeated Spain by 2-1 at the San Siro. 

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Netherlands being the hosts of the 2022/23 Nations League edition, secured automatic qualification but they will be gutted to not have reached the Finals. Ronald Koeman’s men failed to beat Croatia in the Semi-final as they lost by 4-2 in a dramatic match which went down the wire. 

The Dutch side were the first to open the scoring in the 34th minute but Croatia responded with 2 goals in the second-half. A 90+6 minute strike from Noa Lang took the game to extra-time, however, the Croats scored twice in the extra-time to seal their first ever UEFA Nations League final which is also their first final since the 2018 FIFA World cup final. 

Meanwhile their opponents for the Final, Spain produced an inspiring performance to reach their 2nd Nations League final in a row. They defeated current European champions Italy to go through to the Finals at the Stadion Feijenoord. 

La Roja’s Valencia forward Yeremy Pino scored the opening goal in the 3rd minute before Italy equalized in the 11th minute. The match looked to be heading towards extra time but Joselu scored just in time to take Spain to the Nations League final.   

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