Croatia 0-0 Spain (4-5 on pens): Carvajal chip seals Nations League win

Dani Carvajal's chipped penalty sealed a first Nations League triumph for Spain after a gruelling 120 minutes and spot-kicks against Croatia.

La Roja made amends for their defeat in the competition's 2021 final against France by beating Zlatko Dalic's vociferously-supported outfit in Rotterdam.

But the margins could not have been tighter at De Kuip as the shootout went to sudden death following missed efforts by Croatia midfielder Lovro Majer and Spain defender Aymeric Laporte.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon was ultimately the hero — saving Bruno Petkovic's shot — before Carvajal converted to make it 5-4 and send Luis de la Fuente's outfit home with the trophy.

In truth, it was Spain who had the best chances to win the match in regulation time, despite a lack of clear-cut opportunities.

Midfield maestro Gavi dragged a shot wide of the post on 12 minutes, before Marco Asensio headed over the bar in the second half.

Ansu Fati was also denied on the line by Ivan Perisic in the game's closing stages.

Croatia could perhaps have taken the lead themselves, only for Laporte to make an outstanding tackle to deny Andrej Kramaric.

However, they created relatively little throughout the match, in a cagey affair that perhaps reflected the high-stakes occasion.

The result is a devastating blow to the Vatreni, who were hoping to secure international silverware for the first time.

Instead, it is Spain who will be celebrating after ending their 11-year trophy drought, following La Roja's 2012 European Championship triumph.

Hero of the hour Carvajal said: "For us, it was a unique opportunity, we went out early in another tournament [at the World Cup] and today we had to take advantage.

"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."