Spain vs Croatia Prediction: Team to Win, Form, News and more

The first Group B clash of the European Championships is an intriguing one on paper as 2012 winners Spain face Croatia.

Spain qualified for the Euros after finishing top of Group A qualifying ahead of Scotland, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus.

The Croatians reached the European Championships after finishing second in Group D behind Turkey and ahead of Wales, Armenia and Latvia.

Spain current form

Spain have played four friendlies recently and they have all been fairly entertaining affairs. La Roja twice scored five in wins against Northern Ireland and Andorra, while they drew 3-3 in a glamour fixture against Brazil.

In the middle of March, they lost 1-0 versus Colombia.

Croatia current form

Croatia have impressively gone undefeated in that period, with wins against Portugal, North Macedonia and Egypt and a draw versus Tunisia.

Spain vs Croatia Team News

Spain youngster Lamine Yamal is poised to make history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player ever to play a Euros group stage fixture. The current record is held by Pole Kacper Kozlowski (17 years and 246 days) but Lawal at 16 years and 338 days will beat that record should he feature.

Luis de la Fuente had decisions to make in goal and in defence. Unai Simon will probably be given the nod, while Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand might start in the backline.

Rodri will marshal the midfield.

Croatia's midfield may be getting on in years, but faith will once again be placed in Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric.

Josko Gvardol has played most of the season at left-back, but he will likely be moved into the centre of defence, with Borna Sosa playing wide.

Bruno Petkovic is in line to start up front.

Key player - Spain

Spain are in a transition period at the moment, but they have a bonafide, world-class midfielder in Rodri.

Key player - Croatia

Modric may not be a starter for Real Madrid anymore, but he is still more than capable of running a game at the highest level.

Scoreline Prediction

An interesting encounter here as neither side are at the heights of recent years in terms of players and performance, so this could be an entertaining draw.

Spain 2-2 Croatia

For all of the analysis of the match as it happens live, check out our Preview and Live Update page for the game.

FAQs

What was the score the last time Spain played Croatia? In the 2023 Nations League final, Spain beat Croatia on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

What time does the match kick-off? The game commences at 1700 GMT.