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    Spain advances to Nations League final after defeating Croatia in penalty shootout

    Spain kept their composure and won the UEFA Nations League final by beating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 120-minute goalless game in Rotterdam.

    Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal converted the winning penalty after Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon parried shots from Croats Lovro Mayer and Bruno Petkovic.

    Spain’s triumph saw them lift their fifth major trophy and become the second nation after France to win the World Cup, European Championship and Nations League.

    Manchester City’s Rodri and Aymeric Laporte pair, who scored and conceded for Spain in the shootout respectively, won their fourth major trophy of the season.

    Croatia, who beat the Netherlands 4-2 after extra time in their semi-final on Wednesday, were looking to win their first major tournament.

    Spain landed no shots on target in a poor first half of normal time, while Laporte’s last tackle thwarted Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic’s header forced Simon to make a jump save.

    Spain were close in the 58th minute when Marco Asensio scored his best chance just off a cross from Jordi Alba.

    Croatia responded with a Mario Pasalic header after another pass from Perisic before Spain stepped up and both Fabian Ruiz’s and Asensio’s cornering shot were close.

    Spain came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 86th minute when Perisic blocked Ansu Fati’s shot from the goal line after substitute Mikel Merino cut the score.

    Substitute Croatia Meyer was also unable to defend from the last try as his shot from a counter-attack was blocked by Nacho in the first period of extra time.

    Spain dropped caution in the second period and ended the game on top.

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