Lamine Yamal is poised to make history today as Spain begins their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia. If Yamal features in the match, he will become the youngest player to appear in the tournament’s history at 16 years and 338 days old, breaking the previous record held by Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski (17 years and 246 days).
Already Spain’s youngest-ever player, Yamal is set to start on the right wing in the Group B opener. Joining him in the attack will be Nico Williams on the left flank and captain Alvaro Morata in the center. Rodri, after a stellar season with Manchester City, will anchor the midfield.
In goal, Unai Simon is expected to start, leaving David Raya on the bench. Defensively, Robin Le Normand is set to feature, potentially alongside Aymeric Laporte, who might get the nod over Nacho. Croatia will rely on their experienced midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, and Luka Modric. Ivan Perisic, recovering from an ACL injury, may not be fully fit, and Bruno Petkovic is likely to lead the line, though Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric are also options. Josko Gvardiol, who has shone for Manchester City at left-back, could start in central defense, with Borna Sosa at left-back.
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Predicted Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Grimaldo; Rodri, Ruiz; Olmo, Yamal, Williams; Morata
Predicted Croatia XI: Livakovic; Stanisic, Vida, Gvardiol, Sosa; Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic
Time and Date: 5pm BST on Saturday, June 15, 2024
Venue: Olympiastadion