"Croatia bottled it like England" "Let's all laugh at Modric" - Twitter explodes as Spain win 2023 UEFA Nations League on penalties

Spain defeated Croatia in the UEFA Nations League final via penalties. Fans on Twitter reacted as they watched the game unfold.

The game started in a cagey manner. Opportunities were few and far between to come by for any team. Gavi's effort from the edge of the box was inches wide. The youngster won the ball back before sending his effort wide. It was in the 12th minute.

Either team failed to put up an effort on goal in the first half. Marco Asensio put his header over the crossbar in the 56th minute of the game. The former Real Madrid star should have done better with his header.

Scorer of the winner in the recent UEFA Champions League final, Rodri let it fly in the 65th minute mark. However, his ambitious shot was wide of Dominik Livakovic's goal.

La Roja could have won it at the death had Ivan Perisic not blocked Ansu Fati's close range shot. The game ended goalless after the regulation 90 minutes.

The game headed to penalties as no team could break the deadlock even after 120 minutes. After both teams converted their first three, Unai Simon denied Vatreni. Aymeric Laporte squandered the opportunity to win the final as he hit the bar.

However, Simon denied Petkovic as well and Dani Carvajal converted a gutsy Panenka to help Spain beat Croatia.

Here are some of the best reactions across Twitter as Spain and Croatia played out a thrilling final in Rotterdam:

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casual

@CasualBrotha22

@TheEuropeanLad Lets all laugh ay Modric🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

17

@TheEuropeanLad Lets all laugh ay Modric🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/BoswQQlD61

#GOATINELLI_IN

@SuiAmazing

@TheEuropeanLad FRAUDRIC NO TROPPHYYYY

3

@TheEuropeanLad FRAUDRIC NO TROPPHYYYY https://t.co/PZyEvGULgo

𝑅𝒶𝑔𝑒𝓇

@RookieM2_

@TheEuropeanLad EURO 2024 IS NEXT

89

@TheEuropeanLad EURO 2024 IS NEXT

Nufc Joe

@ClinicalBruno39

@TheEuropeanLad They let him down

422

1

@TheEuropeanLad They let him down https://t.co/ZcEInEUnzT

chapo

@chapoball

@TheEuropeanLad CROATIA BOTTLED IT LIKE ENGLAND

292

@TheEuropeanLad CROATIA BOTTLED IT LIKE ENGLAND 😭

M.

@_0MBH

@TheEuropeanLad Real Madrid DNA

25

@TheEuropeanLad Real Madrid DNA

𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎

@TheEuropeanLad

CARVAJAL SCORES!

Croatia:
Spain:

SPAIN ARE NATIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

4990

408

CARVAJAL SCORES!

Croatia: ✅✅✅❌✅❌
Spain: ✅✅✅✅❌✅

SPAIN ARE NATIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! 🏆 https://t.co/HFMn6Y2vOr

Ele 🙏🏼🇭🇷

@EleModric

Penalties

101

10

Penalties https://t.co/oc5ofZIP7G

𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎

@TheEuropeanLad

Luka Modric scores!

Croatia:
Spain:

233

16

Luka Modric scores!

Croatia: ✅✅✅
Spain: ✅✅

SAJAL

@Modric_D_Madrid

I'm putting all my faith in YOU KING !!

make us proud tonight 🤍

3

I'm putting all my faith in YOU KING !!

make us proud tonight 🤍 https://t.co/zYqnalt4BG

ESPN FC

@ESPNFC

ANSU FATI'S SHOT IS SAVED OFF THE LINE

6316

223

ANSU FATI'S SHOT IS SAVED OFF THE LINE 😱 https://t.co/7EveqSr1yD

Subham

@CourageFCB

Ansu Fati is slowly but surely getting his pre-injury rhythm back. It has been clear since the 2nd half of this season.

Keeping him at Barça is the correct decision, if they have to sell a forward for positive FFP, then sell Abde.

198

20

Ansu Fati is slowly but surely getting his pre-injury rhythm back. It has been clear since the 2nd half of this season.

Keeping him at Barça is the correct decision, if they have to sell a forward for positive FFP, then sell Abde.

CentreGoals.

@centregoals

| Croatia MISS their penalty.

31

2

🚨🚨| Croatia MISS their penalty.

https://t.co/iqd0bnr1JF

alex🇭🇷

@sahnemis

brazil and japan watching croatia drag spain to penalties

26

2

brazil and japan watching croatia drag spain to penalties https://t.co/UMtv0OAJlm

King Kane 👑

@KingKane_9

Aymeric Laporte linked to Tottenham and look what happens… this club is cursed.

Aymeric Laporte linked to Tottenham and look what happens… this club is cursed.

Essel

@Esselguy

Unai Simon another save

19

8

Unai Simon another save 😂😂😂😂

Musk Jnr. 🀄🇺🇸

@_FarouqOlami

Unai Simon tonight

4

3

Unai Simon tonight https://t.co/y4rGtVCjvp

Football Report

@FootballReprt

Unai Simón had a shit club season just to come up big for Spain

6

Unai Simón had a shit club season just to come up big for Spain

Baafuor Opoku

@aben_sokoo

Has unai Simon cracked the code? Nice technique. One foot behind the line but body thrown forward

Has unai Simon cracked the code? Nice technique. One foot behind the line but body thrown forward

Billet

@the__billet

Unai Simon just secured Messi his 8th balon d’or right?

Unai Simon just secured Messi his 8th balon d’or right? https://t.co/UW4mfG6Zhx

I’m H.I.M. 👑❤️

@Kiing_CZTG

Unai Simon. That was incredible 🫡

Unai Simon. That was incredible 🫡

𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎

@TheEuropeanLad

📸 - Modric after the lost penalty shoot-out.

365

19

📸 - Modric after the lost penalty shoot-out. https://t.co/zvQ2AeVrb3

Spain stars acknowledged Croatia captain Luka Modric's greatness

Croatia's Luka Modric is one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era. He has won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid. Modric also helped Croatia reach the final in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and secure a third-place finish in the 2022 edition of the tournament.

Even opposition players respect the Vatreni star's class on and off the pitch. Spain players also did the same. Youngster Gavi, who plays for Barcelona, said before the game (via Barca Universal):

“Modric is a great player. We all know that. It will be a very competitive match."

Joselu, who is set to join Real Madrid, next week, meanwhile, said (via Barca Blaugranes):

"Modric is a player who has shown some values in football that represent us all. He is a legend and a role model for me and for many people. He has a lot of ambition despite his age and he is an example for all the kids and for everyone. I hope to learn from him in the final."

Modric is 37 and is in the twilight of his career. While he is still going strong, there are doubts about his future. What the Croat decides regarding his next move after the UEFA Nations League final remains to be seen.

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