'More joy to come' vows Spain coach

ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente hopes his country's Nations League triumph on Sunday can spark a new winning era for La Roja.

They beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties after the teams were deadlocked at 0-0 following 120 minutes at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.

Spain had not won a trophy for over a decade since it triumphed at Euro 2012, and crashed out of the World Cup in Qatar last year in the last 16.

De la Fuente, who was a surprise appointment to replace Luis Enrique, has worked for years in youth soccer within the Spanish federation.

"I know this group very well, I have seen them win at every level," De la Fuente told a news conference.

"I am happy, happy for them, the staff, I am happy for Spain. I hope we get back that hope, from (World Cup) 2010, that we are proud to represent our country."

He continued: "I know these generations very well. Obviously, winning gives you more shine, and I expect more joy to come in the future.

"All projects are better constructed on a base of victory and this gives us more strength, confidence, calm.

"Usually this sequence repeats itself in the future, we get used to winning."

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said it was "hard" not winning the trophy, with the country still waiting for its first-ever silverware.

The central European nation finished third at the 1998 and 2022 World Cups, and runner-up to France in 2018.

"It's very hard for all of us after these finals, we feel sorry for not winning the trophy because of the atmosphere and everything, but we should be proud," said Dalic.

"Winning three medals is historic, a really great thing to have achieved.

"This shows that there is still lots of potential, we can do a lot."

Dalic also hoped captain Luka Modric has not chosen to retire from international duty, as had been rumored.

"Luka said he will take his own decision, and that's the fairest thing," added the coach.

"He played a great game, ran for 120 minutes, for the second time in four days. I hope he stays, he's a very important player for us."

Carvajal the hero

Dani Carvajal chipped home the winning penalty, Panenka style.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon denied Lovro Mayer and Bruno Petkovic from the spot, before Carvajal cheekily chipped home to break Croatian hearts.

The victory is a confidence boost for De la Fuente after heavy criticism in March following a defeat by Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying. It also avenged its 2021 Nations League final defeat by France.

"For us it was a unique opportunity, we went out early in another tournament (at the World Cup in Qatar) and today we had to take advantage," Real Madrid defender Carvajal told Spanish broadcaster TVE.

"We had confidence with the penalties and it went well, I knew how I was going to shoot it, and I knew I was going to be sixth... I wanted to take it Panenka style and it went well."

Spain became the second country to have won the World Cup, Euros and Nations League, after France in 2021.

"We're so happy, it was a really tough game and this is so difficult to do," said Manchester City's Champions League final scorer Rodri, who was named man of the match.

"This generation promises a lot. We were very strong mentally. There are things to improve, but winning is always good — we have to celebrate."

Italy claims bronze

Italy sealed a third-place finish in the Nations League finals on Sunday, with a 3-2 win over disappointed host the Netherlands.

Ronald Koeman's Dutch side started the week determined to win its first trophy since 1988's European Championship but fell short on home territory in both matches, losing the semifinal against Croatia on Wednesday.

Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi struck first-half goals for Euro 2020 winner Italy in Enschede.

Steven Bergwijn pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining but Federico Chiesa quickly restored Italy's advantage to ensure the Azzurri would take bronze, despite Gini Wijnaldum pulling another goal back.

Koeman has now lost three of his four games since being reappointed Netherlands coach in January.

"I blame myself entirely for not being able to communicate how important it was to take responsibility, to defend, and to follow your man, like we did in the second half," Koeman said. "We let each other down. That was my biggest disappointment today."

Agencies