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Yamal, 16, leads Spain's new generation to 3-0 win over Croatia at Euro 2024

Spain players celebrate after Dani Carvajal, back to camera, scored their side's third goal during a Group B match between Spain and Croatia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) Spain players celebrate after Dani Carvajal, back to camera, scored their side's third goal during a Group B match between Spain and Croatia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
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BERLIN -

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to appear in a European Championship as Spain鈥檚 new generation brushed aside Croatia鈥檚 challenge 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday.

And the Spanish did it without dominating ball possession for the first time in 136 competitive games tallied by stats analyst Opta. Spain had only 46 per cent possession against Croatia, according to UEFA.

Yamal, aged 16 years, 338 days, also became the youngest to set up a goal at the tournament when he crossed for Dani Carvajal to score Spain鈥檚 third goal before the break.

The 21-year-old Nico Williams starred on the other flank for Spain, which is going for its fourth European title.

Midfielder Fabi谩n Ruiz scored one goal and set up the opener for captain 脕lvaro Morata in a dominant performance from the team in red.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Sim贸n saved a penalty in the 80th from substitute Bruno Petkovi膰, who thought he scored when Ivan Peri拧i膰 sent in the rebound. But the goal was ruled out after a VAR review as Peri拧i膰 was too keen and encroached on the penalty area before Petkovi膰 took the spot kick.

Defending champion Italy was playing Albania in the other Group B game later.

The Croatia fans, who greatly outnumbered their Spanish counterparts, tried rousing the team before the end at Berlin鈥檚 Olympiastadion, where the final will be played on July 14.

Hundreds gathered before the game near the Brandenburg Gate in the center of Berlin, and also at Breitscheidplatz in the west of the city, where they set off flares, waved flags, jumped up and down, and sang along to Croatian folk songs.

Croatian emigrants were among those who moved to Germany as so-called guest workers to help the country鈥檚 post-war economy and never returned. Germany also became home to many Croatian refugees who fled the country鈥檚 war of independence in the 1990s.

But it was a disappointing start to Euro 2024 from Zlatko Dali膰's team. The Spanish players were faster, more committed, and cleverer. Last-ditch defending from Spain defenders Marc Cucurella and Nacho snuffed out any other danger.

Croatia star Luka Modri膰, who played at Euro 2008 before Yamal was even born, was unable to assert his usual influence. The 38-year-old Modri膰 was given a warm embrace by Real Madrid teammates Nacho and Carvajal before the teams walked out onto the field, getting a kiss on the cheek from each.

When Modri膰 went off in the 65th, it was clear Dali膰 was already thinking of the next game.

Croatia plays Albania in Hamburg on Wednesday, while Spain faces Italy in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.

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