 Match programme cover | |||||||
| Event | 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals | ||||||
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| Afterextra time Spain won 5–4 onpenalties | |||||||
| Date | 18 June 2023 (2023-06-18) | ||||||
| Venue | De Kuip,Rotterdam | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Marcelo Brozović (Croatia)[1] | ||||||
| Referee | Felix Zwayer (Germany)[2] | ||||||
| Attendance | 41,110[3] | ||||||
| Weather | Partly cloudy night 25 °C (77 °F) 69%humidity[4][5] | ||||||
←2021 2025 → | |||||||
The2023 UEFA Nations League final was afootball match that determined the winners of thefinal tournament of the2022–23 UEFA Nations League. It was the third final of the internationalfootball competition involving the men's national teams of the member associations ofUEFA. The match was held on 18 June 2023 atDe Kuip inRotterdam, Netherlands, and was contested byCroatia andSpain.[6]
Spain won the match 5–4 onpenalties following a 0–0 draw afterextra time for their first UEFA Nations League title.[1]
De Kuip was chosen by theRoyal Dutch Football Association as one of the two venues for the Nations League Finals, along withDe Grolsch Veste.Amsterdam'sJohan Cruyff Arena, which is thelargest stadium in the Netherlands, was unavailable because of a concert.[7] Consequently, De Kuip, the second-largest stadium in the country, was selected to host the first semi-final, featuring the Dutch team, as well as the final.[6]
De Kuip (Dutch for "the Tub"), officially known as the Stadion Feijenoord, is situated in theFeijenoord district ofRotterdam. The stadium, characterised by its distinctive bowl-shaped design, has a seating capacity of 51,117 and is the home ofEredivisie clubFeyenoord.[8] Construction began on the stadium in 1935, and it opened in March 1937. The stadium underwent extensive renovations in 1994, becoming an all-seater, with an extended roof to cover all seats. The venue hosts selected matches of theNetherlands national team, and has also been the site of theKNVB Cup final since 1989.[9] De Kuip has hosted numerous UEFA club finals, including two in theEuropean Cup (1972 and1982), six in theUEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1963,1968,1974,1985,1991 and1997) and two in theUEFA Cup (the1974 second leg and2002). In addition, it was one of the venues forUEFA Euro 2000, hosting five matches, including thefinal betweenFrance andItaly. The stadium has also been used as a concert venue since 1978.[10]
Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).
| Croatia | Round | Spain | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponents | Result | League phase | Opponents | Result |
 Austria | 0–3 (H) | Match 1 |  Portugal | 1–1 (H) |
 France | 1–1 (H) | Match 2 |  Czech Republic | 2–2 (A) |
 Denmark | 1–0 (A) | Match 3 |  Switzerland | 1–0 (A) |
| France | 1–0 (A) | Match 4 | Czech Republic | 2–0 (H) |
| Denmark | 2–1 (H) | Match 5 | Switzerland | 1–2 (H) |
| Austria | 3–1 (A) | Match 6 | Portugal | 1–0 (A) |
| Group A1 winner | Final standings | Group A2 winner | ||
| Opponents | Result | Nations League Finals | Opponents | Result |
 Netherlands | 4–2 (a.e.t.) | Semi-finals |  Italy | 2–1 |
In the 84th minute Spain'sAnsu Fati had a shot cleared off the line byIvan Perišić. After a goalless match the game went to extra-time and finally to penalties. The first six penalties were all scored before Spanish goalkeeperUnai Simón saved with his foot fromLovro Majer.[11]Both teams scored another penalty beforeAymeric Laporte had the chance to win the game but hit his shot off the bar. Simón then saved down to his right fromBruno Petković withDani Carvajal going on to win it for Spain by chipping into the net for a 5–4 win.[12]
         Croatia[4] |      Spain[4] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees:[2] | Match rules[13]
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