UEFA Euro 2024's second day sees two of the continent's heavyweights come to blows in Group B, as Spain take on Croatia in the German capital, Berlin. Two members of 2024's 'group of death' alongside Italy and Albania, this could be one hell of an early tournament clash.
Spain and Croatia are no strangers to meeting one another on the biggest stage, having faced off at each of the last three Euros as well as the UEFA Nations League Final just last summer. La Roja won that particular contest on penalties after a 0-0 draw, and the two sides are just as hard to split this time around.
Croatia's runs through the last two World Cups, reaching the final in 2018 and finishing third in 2022, gives them a battled-hardened squad packed with tournament experience, while a youthful Spain side are in an exciting transitional period with just one member — Sevilla's Jesus Navas — of their 2008-2012 golden generation still in the squad.
It's shaping up to be the tournament's first real clash of the titans, and if history is anything to go by, Spain vs. Croatia at Euro 2024 should be an absolute cracker. For viewers in Australia, The Sporting News has all your viewing and streaming details sorted to help you catch the action!
Spain vs. Croatia live stream, TV channel
- TV channel: N/A
- Streaming: Optus Sport
Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the 2024 European Championship is Optus Sport, with viewers down under able to stream every match both live and on catch-up.
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What time is Spain vs. Croatia kickoff?
This Euro 2024 match kicks off from the Olympiastadion on June 15 at 6:00 p.m. local time in Berlin.
Here's how that time translates across all of the time zones in Australia:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Sun, June 16 | 2:00 a.m. (AEST) |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Sun, June 16 | 1:30 a.m. (ACST) |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Sun, June 16 | 12:00 a.m. (AWST) |
Spain vs. Croatia lineups & team news
Spain will miss Gavi at these finals due to his knee injury from last year. Pedri has also struggled with fitness, but he made a goal scoring return to action for his country in the 5-1 friendly win over Northern Ireland.
La Roja's strength lies in their midfield, with Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, and Mikel Merino all in top form. Ahead of them, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will provide much-needed pace in attack.
The defence has experienced players, but there are concerns about Aymeric Laporte's form after playing in Saudi Arabia. He was ruled out of this game by De La Fuente, who did not specify the reason.
Spain predicted: (4-3-3, right to left): Simon (GK) — Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Grimaldo — Merino, Rodri, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Morata, Williams.
Croatia, on the other hand, still rely on veterans like Ivan Perisic (35), Luka Modric (38), and Domagoj Vida (35). Modric, with 175 caps, remains vital to the team. Dominik Livakovic, the Fenerbahce goalkeeper, has also been crucial in past tournaments. Perisic recovered from a long-term injury to join the squad, but it is likely that Andrej Kramaric and Lovro Majer will start in the wider positions.
Josko Gvardiol and his experienced Manchester City team-mate Mateo Kovacic could make a difference against strong opposition such as this.
Croatia predicted: (4-3-3, right to left): Livakovic (GK) — Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol — Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic — Majer, Budimir, Kramaric.
Spain vs. Croatia prediction
- Score prediction: Spain 2-1 Croatia
Spain and Croatia have met in the last three straight Euros tournaments, with Spain recording a 1-0 win on the way to winning in 2012 before being beaten 2-1 by Croatia in 2016, also in the group stage.
Their most recent meeting came in the Round of 16 at Euro 2020, and carnage ensued. An eight-goal thriller went all the way having been locked level at 3-3 after Mario Pasalic equalised in the 92nd minute for Croatia, but Spain scored two quick-fire goals in extra time to eventually win it 5-3.
Given the pair's recent history at Euros and World Cups alike, this fixture is a hard one to call. Croatia's experience in major tournaments coupled against Spain's new-look side is salivating in itself, but we reckon that youthful edge could see La Roja could fly out of the traps and win a tight contest 2-1.
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