Croatia vs Spain predictions: Vatreni chasing their first trophy

- Croatia have finished second and third at the last two World Cups 
- Spain beat Croatia in last-16 at Euro 2020 but only after extra-time 
- Recommended bet: Croatia to win the cup

Croatia collected silver and bronze medals at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and they will be going for gold when taking on Spain in the Nations League final in Rotterdam on Sunday.

Zlatko Dalic's side were fourth of four in the pre-tournament betting, but are past masters at upsetting the odds and performed superbly in their 4-2 extra-time semi-final success over the Netherlands.

The Croatians will be desperate to secure a first major trophy but they will be respectful of Spain, who were their conquerors in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 — winning 5-3 after extra-time.

Spain arrived at the Nations League with plenty to prove but they were worthy 2-1 winners against Italy and will be aiming to land their first silverware since being crowned European champions in 2012.

Team news

Josko Gvardiol missed the tournament with a groin injury.

Domagoj Vida and Josip Sutalo formed the centre-back partnership in the semi-final against the Netherlands while Ivan Perisic was deployed as a left back, creating room for Luka Ivanusec's inclusion in the three-man attack.

Pedri (thigh) was ruled out of the Spain squad but Dani Olmo (muscle strain) recovered sufficiently to be named among the substitutes for Thursday's 2-1 success over Italy.

Joselu came off the bench to score the winning goal against Italy but he seems unlikely to dislodge Alvaro Morata from the starting line up.

The stats

Croatia's only defeat in their last 16 games was the 3-0 loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

They won their last four matches in the Nations League group stage, conceding just two goals in the process.

Spain were victorious in three successive major finals until succumbing 2-1 to France in the 2021 Nations League.

Five of the Iberians' last seven matches have generated at least three goals.

Spain have notched five goals this year and three of them have been scored by Joselu.

Prediction

Croatia have grown accustomed to playing high stakes matches and their vast experience and mental strength could be key to defeating Spain at Stadion De Kuip.

Reaching the Nations League final is nothing new to Spain, who were runners-up to France in 2021.

But Spanish players are much less used to competing at the business end of major tournament football than the Croatians, who have come close to World Cup glory twice in the last five years.

Croatia delivered one of the biggest shocks at the 2022 World Cup when overcoming Brazil in the quarter-finals and they have retained the never-say-die attitude which shone through against the Samba Stars.

The Checkered Ones levelled in the second half of extra-time against Brazil and came on strong in the extra-time period of Wednesday's Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands, despite suffering the huge setback of conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.

It seems to come natural for the Croatians to produce their best when the stakes are highest and they may be able to deliver in another hard-fought encounter.

Spain deservedly came through their semi-final against Italy, but they look like a team towards the early stages of their development.

Several goalscoring opportunities were missed against the Italians before Joselu's last-gasp intervention and the lack of a clinical edge may cost them against Croatia.

Back Croatia to win the cup at 29/20 with LiveScore Bet.