One day after Croatia achieved an incredible result against Spain in the second to last game of the Nations League group stage in Zagreb (3:2), the international media have shown disappointment in Spain, words of praise for Croatia's unexpected hero, and criticisms of a popular Croatian defender, reports Index.hr on November 16, 2018.
The Spanish media was disappointed and pessimistic
The leading Spanish sports newspapers carried a rather despairing and discouraged tone in their words about Thursday's game.
“O adios," AS wrote, arguing that the defeat of Spain last night was actually a farewell to placing in the Nations League final.
Marca argued that Spain can only hope to pass through the group stage through prayers.
"Now all eyes are on Wembley," concluded Marca and calculated the key game between England and Croatia on Sunday in London. Whether England or Croatia wins, Spain will not qualify as one of the four best European teams in the Nations League.
"With one leg outside,” Mundo Deportivo grimly recounted and remembered that within one month, Spain suffered two defeats - against England (2:3) and Croatia (2:3) - which brought their position at the top into question.
"The defeat is the result of confusion and the mistake-prone defense,“ the Spanish media concluded.
Rooney and Jedvaj were the focus of English media
The English media is covered with images of Wayne Rooney in an England jersey. Preoccupied with Rooney's tears after he said goodbye to the England national team last night, they seldom reported Croatia’s victory over Spain.
"Croatia scored a dramatic goal in extra time to defeat Spain, a result that gives England the hope they can finish in first,” the BBC noted.
The Guardian named Tina Jedvaj as the hero of last night.
"The Croatians have succeeded thanks to an unexpected hero. Jedvaj’s first goals for the national team have brought victory to Croatia and have completely opened the group. Croatia will now face England, both knowing that a victory can bring them first place. This is a big turning point, given that Spain was dominated in the first round,” the Guardian said.
The region, however, condemned Lovren
The region, meanwhile, reported on Lovren’s actions after the game towards Spain and Sergio Ramos.
“Dejan Lovren is in danger of getting the status as one of the most hated footballers in the world. The Croatia national team stopper was, until now, known as a pearl who praises himself and humiliates others without real grounds, and on Thursday night, with heated heads after the Croatia triumph over Spain (3: 2), he showed the side of his sports culture. The victory of the World Cup finalists is great, however, the Liverpool player’s defensive behavior is embarrassing,” writes Serbian Mozzart Sport.
Tin Jedvaj's statement that “Croatians care more about who will be the left back than politicians” caused a stir, as well as the reaction of Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović after the winning goal.
"She has been in the spotlight for the past few months, especially for her behavior during the World Cup where she had several ‘outbursts'. Last night, Kolinda celebrated again. But this time she was much more moderate with her hands raised high," SportSport says.ba wrote.
