Coach Zlatko Dalic expressed his apologies to the numerous Croatian supporters who filled the Olympiastadion Berlin on Saturday, following his team's 3-0 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 opener. Dalic, aged 57, who previously guided the team to the 2018 World Cup final and the semifinals in 2022, addressed the media, stating, 'It was a great atmosphere. I apologize for this poor performance today; we lacked aggression.' The Croatian team, aiming to mirror their recent World Cup triumphs at a Euro where they've yet to win a knockout game, found themselves outmatched by Spain's strategic offensive play, with Dalic's tactics faltering early on. His players were overwhelmed by Spain's dominance in the first half, during which the 2008 and 2012 champions scored three goals. Despite Croatian fans significantly outnumbering the Spanish in the stadium, Spain took control from the outset with a high-pressure strategy. The lively crowd could not inspire Dalic's team, who struggled to keep up with Spain's relentless pressure. 'I hope this was just a bad day,' Dalic remarked, looking forward to upcoming matches against Albania and Italy. He also mentioned resting captain Luka Modric in the second half. Meanwhile, Spain's Alvaro Morata scored in a convincing 3-0 win, with Lamine Yamal setting a record as the youngest player in the competition's history. Spain, often criticized for their lackluster attack in recent tournaments, delivered a standout performance, dominating a lackluster Croatia. Morata scored the opener in the 29th minute, moving to joint-third on the all-time Euros goal list. Fabian Ruiz followed with a spectacular solo goal, and Yamal assisted Dani Carvajal to seal the victory before halftime, while Croatia's Bruno Petkovic missed a late penalty. 'Very happy with the win, for my Euros debut,' Yamal shared. 'We're confident, efficient, and it shows. We're pleased with the results of our hard work over the past months.'