Spain Claims First International Trophy in Over a Decade With UEFA Nations League Title

(Photo : KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images) Spain's players celebrate with head coach Luis de la Fuente (L) on the podium after winning the penalty shootouts and the UEFA Nations League final football match between Croatia and Spain at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam on June 18, 2023.

Spain claimed their first major international trophy in over a decade, conquering Croatia in penalties, 5-4, in the final of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League on Sunday.

Spain win the 2023 UEFA Nations League 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CLtILQdY0V
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 18, 2023

The game was deadlocked at the end of extra time, with both teams failing to find the net after 120 minutes.

Veteran Dani Carvajal's panenka penalty sealed the deal for the Spaniards, with goalkeeper Unai Simon saving two shots from Croatians in the shootout.

Dani Carvajal won it for Spain with a Panenka 🥶 pic.twitter.com/vEwgvyhiTr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 18, 2023

"He has a fantastic personality and that's the way he decided to take it. We have total confidence in his ability to take penalties," Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said about the Real Madrid right-back.

Spain became the third team to win the competition since its inception five years ago, with Portugal winning the inaugural edition of the biennial tournament in 2019. France won the previous edition in 2021.

Spain Tastes Glory for the First Time Since 2012

Spain was once the most dominant force in international football, winning three successive major tournaments in a span of four years.

The team started its magnificent run by claiming the UEFA Euro 2008, where midfielder Xavi was named the tournament's best player.

La Roja reached the pinnacle of football by winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, beating the Netherlands in extra time with the help of a goal from Andres Iniesta. The Spaniards retained the Euro title in 2012, dominating Italy in the final, 4-0.

With their tika-taka style of play, the 2008-2012 Spain teams are regarded among the greatest international teams in football history.

Following the decline of the team's core players, Spain experienced a fall-off, losing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage.