ROTTERDAM: Spain became the second nation after France to have won the World Cup, European Championship and the Nations League after defeating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a goalless extra-time draw in Rotterdam.

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, the one survivor from the Spanish European champions on 2012, converted the winning kick after keeper Unai Simon had saved from Croatia’s Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic.

Spain’s triumph delivered a fifth major trophy and made some sort of amends for their shootout defeat by Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar last December. They won the European title in 1964, 2008 and 2012 plus the World Cup in 2010.

Croatia, who beat the Netherlands 4-2 after extra time in their semi-final on Wednesday, had been hoping to win their first major tournament after finishing third at the World Cup.

Spain did not have one shot on target in a poor first half of regulation time, while Laporte’s last-ditch tackle thwarted Andrej Kramaric, and Ivan Perisic’s header forced Simon into a diving save.

Spain went close in the 58th minute when Marco Asensio headed their best chance over the bar from Jordi Alba’s cross.

Croatia responded with a header from Mario Pasalic while Spain saw Fabian Ruiz and Asensio both going close.

Spain went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 86th minute when Perisic blocked Ansu Fati’s shot on the goal-line after fellow substitute Mikel Merino’s cut-back.

Croatia substitute Majer was also denied by last-ditch defending as his shot after a counter-attack was blocked by Nacho in the first period of extra time.

Spain threw caution to the wind in the second period and finished the game on top.

Dani Olmo and Asensio had shots deflected for a corner and Rodri’s effort was blocked as the third Nations League final went to penalties, with Carvajal converting a nerveless winner.

Manchester City’s Rodri and Aymeric Laporte, who scored and missed for Spain in the shootout, thus won a fourth major trophy of the season.

Earlier Italy beat hosts Netherlands 3-2 in the third-place play-off in Enschede.

Roberto Mancini’s side, who sealed Nations League bronze for the second tournament running, quickly went 2-0 up through Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi. Steven Bergwijn reduced the deficit for the Netherlands midway through the second half, but Federico Chiesa struck Italy’s third four minutes later.

Georginio Wijnaldum grabbed Netherlands’ second goal in the 89th minute but it was not enough to prevent a third defeat in four games under new coach Ronald Koeman.

The shootout

Penalties (Croatia first): Vlasic 1-0, Joselu 1-1; Brozovic 2-1, Rodri 2-2; Modric 3-2, Moreno 3-3; Majer saved 3-3, Marco Asensio 3-4; Perisic 4-4, Laporte hits bar 4-4 — Petkovic saved 4-4, Dani Carvajal 4-5.

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