Luis de la Fuente says Spain don't need to have the ball to do damage after beating Croatia 3-0 at Euro 2024 but losing the possession battle for the first time in 136 competitive games.

Spain's Mikel Merino shoots the ball during a Group B match between Spain and Croatia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Spain defeated Croatia 3-0. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) BERLIN (AP) — Greedy for the ball no more,

Spain’s bid for a fourth European Championship title begins against Croatia in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where the final will be played next month

Tens of thousands of Croatia fans descended on Berlin to see them play Spain, but a new-look La Roja -- content to play without the ball -- surged to an eye-opening win.

Following is reaction from Saturday's Euro 2024 Group B opening game on Saturday in which Spain beat Croatia 3-0 with goals from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal.

Spain couldn’t be penalised twice for the same offence, so because Croatia got a penalty, Rodri wasn’t sent off. If that’s the case, it turns out Spain weren’t penalised at all. 82 min: Simon saves the substitute’s effort but the ball breaks to Perisic,