WATCH | Real Madrid's present and Barcelona's future combine to extend Spain's lead against Croatia in first half

Dani Carvajal scored from a cross from Lamine Yamal

Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal Spain's Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal | Reuters

Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid and Lamine Yamal of Barcelona combined in the injury time of first-half to extend Spain's lead to 3-0 against Croatia on Saturday. Yamal's cross from the right flank was met by a sliding Carvajal inside the box in the last meaningful act of the match as La Roja solidified their position of Luka Modric's Croatia in a Group B match.

Dani Carvajal, 32, has been a mainstay at Real Madrid's right-back for years while 16-year-old Lamine Yamal is the most versatile prodigy of Barcelona. 

ESP vs CRO: WATCH CARVAJAL'S GOAL HERE:

"The corner on the right is played short and after a few deft passes between Williams, Fabian and Lamal, the latter whips in a pass beyond his years! That was masterful! Lamal's left-footed ball curls inwards to the front post and Carvajal is there to poke home cheekily past Livakovic," Google commentary said about the goal.

Yamal became the first 16-year-old to play at a men's European Championship as he started against Croatia. He had become Spain's youngest player and goalscorer on his debut against Georgia in a Euro 2024 qualifier last September. He is reportedly also the youngest La Liga goalscorer and youngest player to start a Champions League game.

Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz struck in a gap of three minutes earlier to give FIFA rank number 8 Spain the edge over the 2018 World Cup finalists.

Croatia enjoyed 57% ball possession at the end of the first-half but had little to show for it.  While Spain failed to convert only one of their four shots on target, Croatia only managed two out of their seven shots in the opening 45 minutes.

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