Inter Milan Midfielder Named POTM In Croatia-Spain Nations League Final Despite Penalty Shootout Heartbreak | OneFootball

Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has received the Player Of The Match award in Croatia’s Nations League loss to Spain.

FCInterNews note that the 30-year-old was the recipient of the honour even in spite of the fact that he found himself on the losing side.

Yesterday evening’s Nations League final went the distance.

After neither Croatia and Spain were able to unlock each other’s defenses in 120 minutes, it came down to penalties.

The Croats will have been bitterly disappointed to lose the shootout after a strong performance over two hours. The country had hoped that this could be a chance for silverware after reaching the final and the semifinal of the last two World Cups.

It was not to be, however, as they fell at the final hurdle.

Inter Milan Star Marcelo Brozovic Wins POTM Award In Croatia-Spain Clash

Croatia’s performance was hardly a bad one. Particularly in the centre of the pitch, the Croats showed the technical quality that has become their calling card.

Nerazzurri star Brozovic is a player who clearly represents this style of play. He is a reliable operator for both his club and country.

The 30-year-old was paired with Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Chelsea’s Matteo Kovacic in a well-worn trio.

He went head-to-head with Manchester City star Rodri at the base of Spain’s midfield. The City star had been the man whose goal broke Inter hearts in the Champions League final earlier this month.

PSG and former Napoli man Fabian Ruiz and Barcelona starlet Gavi comprised the rest of Spain’s midfield trio.

It was always likely to be a highly technical midfield battle between Croatia and Spain, and so it proved. It was a match that, while it lacked excitement in either penalty area, was a real showcase of technical quality and control in midfield.

Nowhere was this more apparent than in the display of Inter midfielder Brozovic. UEFA recognized him by awarding him POTM despite his team’s failure to lift the trophy.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are reportedly to sign the Croat. On last night’s evidence, it’s not hard to see why.