Our keeper was an unused sub with Unai Simon the Spanish hero, saving two spot-kicks in the shoot-out after a tense final finished goalless.

It means a runners-up medal for Kovacic, who played the full 120 minutes in Rotterdam, to accompany the silver he picked up at the 2018 World Cup and bronze four years later in Qatar.

Early on tonight at a raucous De Kuip Stadium, Dominik Livakovic spilled a routine Fabian Ruiz cross onto the post but just about cleared the ball.

Gradually, Croatia grew into the contest, particularly dangerous on the counter-attack. They mustered three on-target efforts before the break, to Spain’s none, but clear chances were at a premium.

Marco Asensio headed over and Mario Pasalic for Croatia did likewise midway through the second half. With six minutes left, Ivan Perisic cleared an Ansu Fati strike off the line so to extra-time the final went.

In the 99th minute, Kovacic broke forward at speed and slid in sub Lovro Majer who was thwarted by Nacho Fernandez just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Kovacic did get a shot away with two minutes of extra-time remaining, his drive from the edge deflected behind for a corner Spain dealt with. It finished 0-0 and it was Spain who would emerge victorious on penalties, winning 5-4 with six taken apiece. Dani Carvajal delivered the decisive blow.

In an AFCON qualifier in Franceville, Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng’s first appearance for Gabon since last April ended in a 2-0 home defeat to DR Congo.

Gabon dominated possession and had 17 shots to DR Congo’s eight, but it was the visitors, who included former Blue Gael Kakuta in their line-up, who scored with both of their on-target efforts.

Gabon drop to second place in Group I with one game remaining, away to Mauritania in September.

In an Under-21 friendly in Spain earlier on Sunday, Bryan Fiabema scored for Norway as they drew 1-1 with Scotland. The striker bundled the ball home from close range after his initial effort was blocked.