The defender featured for 105 minutes before being replaced in half time of extra time in Rotterdam, but his nation missed out on the chance to face one of Spain or Italy in Sunday’s showpiece.
It came just four days after Ake had helped City claim the Champions League trophy for the first time in our history following a 1-0 win over Inter, securing the Treble in the process.
The hosts took the lead just after the 30-minute mark through Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen, who finished off a neat passing move with a clinical finish back across goal from the right.
And Ake was at the centre of the game’s opener, splitting the Croatian defence with an incisive ball to Mats Wieffer, who went on to set up Malen.
It proved to be the only shot on target in an otherwise forgetful first half at De Kuip, but the game burst into life soon after the restart when Luka Modric was brought down inside the area by Cody Gakpo.
Andrej Kramaric stepped up to do the honours, drawing the World Cup semi-finalists level with a clinical penalty from 12 yards.
Ake went close to regaining the lead for the Netherlands when he rose highest to meet a free-kick, but his header back across goal was comfortably claimed by Dominik Livakovic.
It looked like the visitors would claim the victory when Mario Pasalic tapped home from close-range with less than 20 minutes to play, but the Dutch would force extra time when Noah Lang hooked home on the half-volley in the 96th minute.
A lifeline for Ake and co., but they would find themselves behind once again Bruno Petkovic fired a vicious drive into the bottom corner from distance after driving into space.
The goal gave Croatia a fresh impetus, with Frenkie De Jong almost turning into his own net before Petkovic was inches from turning home a dangerous cross soon after.
And the visitors sealed the win in the 116th minute when Modric fired home from the spot after Petkovic was felled by Tyrell Malacia.
