Spain’s Nations League campaign rolled on at the Carlos Tartiere, where Lamine Yamal set the evening in motion with a spectacular early strike and Luis de la Fuente’s side overcame Czechia 3-1 to preserve their flawless start in Group C.
Key takeaways
- Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area.
- Rodrigo added Spain’s second goal in the 35th minute after finding the ball inside the box.
- Jiri Slama brought Czechia back into the match with a low, angled left-footed finish.
- Ladislav Krejci was sent off for the visitors in the 85th minute.
- Mikel Merino sealed a 3-1 victory around the 90th minute as Czechia pushed forward.
- Spain have nine points from three Group C matches, three more than England.
Yamal lights up the Carlos Tartiere
Spain struck before Czechia could settle. Yamal collected possession near the area and drove a left-footed shot towards the top-right corner. Antonin Kinsky launched himself across goal but could not reach an effort that flew beyond him.
The hosts retained control and extended their advantage ten minutes before half-time. Rodrigo was in the right place inside the penalty area to turn the ball home, sending Spain into the interval with a two-goal cushion.
Czechia did find a route back after the break. Slama received the ball on the right side and sent a left-footed finish across David Raya, reducing the gap and giving the visitors a late opening.
That possibility faded in the 85th minute when Krejci received his dismissal. With Czechia committing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Merino completed Spain’s win close to full time.
Perfect opening leaves Spain ahead of England
The result was Spain’s third win in as many Nations League fixtures. Their previous outing had brought a 4-1 victory over Croatia, a match in which Yamal scored twice.
De la Fuente’s team had also begun the group with a 3-2 away success against England. Those three victories have carried Spain to nine points at the summit of Group C, with England their nearest challengers on six.
