Spain vs Croatia - Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates as 16-year-old Lamine Yamal starts for Spain alongside Nacho and Nico Williams

15/06/2024

15:00

Man City representation in the Croatia side

It seems Josko Gvardiol will continute the role he has been playing for Manchester City for Croatia, lining up at left back.

Club team-mate Mateo Kovacic starts too, as well as Modric, Brozovic and Kramaric.

Perisic has to settle for a spot on the bench.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - JUNE 8: Josko Gvardiol of Croatia (R) controls the ball during the International Friendly match between Portugal and Croatia at Estadio Nacional do Jamor on June 8, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

14:58

Cucurella starts for Spain

I think it's pretty much as expected for Spain, bar the potential surprise of Cucurella starting at left back.

Nacho is also preferred to Laporte at centre back, with Simon getting the nod in goal instead of Raya.

The expected front three of Yamal, Morata and Williams all start.

Spain's forward #17 Nico Williams (3rdL), Spain's defender #24 Marc Cucurella (4thL) and teammates take part in a training session of Spain's national football team, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 European football Championships, in Donaueschingen on June 12, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

14:52

BREAKING: Croatia team to face Spain

Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Majer, Kramaric, Budimir.

14:51

BREAKING: Spain team to face Croatia

Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Ruiz, Yamal, Morara, Williams.

14:49

Spain's 'responsibility' to excite fans

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Berlin:

Luis de la Fuente was asked on the eve of the game about his team being outnumbered in the stands and the feeling that Spain with its strong regional identities sometimes finds it difficult to unite behind its national team.

'We do find it hard to get that national feeling going,' he said. 'That’s our responsibility and we need to transmit that to fans. Winning games is best way. We must try to give all fans that opportunity. We want as many behind us as possible.

'We experienced similar in Rotterdam in the Nations League [when Spain beat Croatia on penalties last year] and dealt with it successfully.'

BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 14: Head Coach Luis de la Fuente of Spain gestures during press conference at Olympiastadion on June 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Luciano Lima - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

14:46

The youngsters leading Spain's charge

A little bit more on the youngsters who will lead Spain's charge during the tournament.

Yamal is the posterboy, but the likes of Nico Williams and Pedri will also be key to the 2012 winners' success.

Luis De la Fuente's are bubbling and ready to go.

The youth prospects leading the charge with Luis de la Fuente's Spain

Mail Sport takes a look at the babyfaced assasins De la Fuente is backing to see Spain lift a record fourth European trophy - and assesses just how bright the national team's future could be.

Mail Online

14:41

Modric proving popular

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Berlin:

It feels as if the Euros have come to life in Berlin today. The German capital woke up bleary after celebrating the romp against Scotland and before the clean-up operation could be completed an estimated 50,000 Croatia fans have descended.

Waves of red-and-white checks everywhere you look. Shirts, flags, foam hats, water-polo helmets, all the usual paraphernalia. There must be about 10,000 Modric shirts on parade.

BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 15: Fans can be seen wearing replica shirts which read

14:36

Youth takes on experience

So we have, according to our friends at SkyBet, the fifth favourites versus the ninth favourites today.

There will be a lot of star talent on display. Barcelona’s 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal will be one player of interest - he’s expected to start on the right for Spain this afternoon. His mate, Pedri, will play in midfield, alongside City star Rodri.

For Croatia, the old guard will be out in force with Luka Modric, 22 years Yamal’s senior, set to feature. As will the likes of Ivan Perisic, who left Tottenham this summer, and of course City defender Josko Gvardiol.

It may be one of those games where a moment of brilliance can win it. Jamal Musiala was the star last night in Germany’s win over Scotland - let’s see who can step up here.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group A - Cyprus v Spain - Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus - November 16, 2023 Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring their first goal with Gavi REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou/File Photo

BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 14: Luka Modric of Croatia during a Croatia training session at the Olympic Stadium on June 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images)

14:25

Spain vs Croatia is next up!

Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog for arguably the most hotly-anticipated match for today and potentiallt the whole group stage.

Spain and Croatia meet in the first game of Group B at Euro 2024, reigniting a modern rivalry which has been full of drama, goals and heartache for both sides.

This tie will see experience versus youth as Luis De la Fuente's starlets lead the charge for a Spanish side who are far from the European and global dominance they displayed throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Croatia on the other hand head into Euro 2024 as dark horses once again despite making it to last year’s Nations League final and walking away with bronze medals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ahead of kick-off, we will have updates, team news and quotes from the bosses as well as plenty of snaps from Berlin to showcase the atmosphere. Once the game gets underway at 5pm, make sure to stick with us as we will be providing minute-by-minute action of the Group B fixture.