BERLIN (AP) 鈥 Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to appear in a European Championship as Spain鈥檚 new generation brushed aside Croatia鈥檚 challenge 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday.
Yamal, aged 16 years, 338 days, also became the youngest to set up a goal at the tournament when he crossed for Dani Carvajal to score Spain鈥檚 third goal before the break.
The 21-year-old Nico Williams starred on the other flank for Spain, which is going for its fourth European title.
Midfielder Fabi谩n Ruiz scored one goal and set up the opener for captain 脕lvaro Morata in a dominant performance from the team in red.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Sim贸n saved a penalty in the 80th from substitute Bruno Petkovi膰, who thought he scored when Ivan Peri拧i膰 sent in the rebound. But the goal was ruled out after a VAR review as Peri拧i膰 was too keen and encroached on the penalty area before Petkovi膰 took the spot kick.
Defending champion Italy was playing Albania in the other Group B game later.
___
AP Euro 2024:
The Associated Press