Spain’s night began almost with the kick-off itself. Seventy seconds into their Nations League meeting with Croatia, Lamine Yamal had already finished a 25-pass move started from the opening touch, racing onto Alex Baena’s delivery to put the world champions ahead.
The 19-year-old went on to score twice and create another goal in a 4-1 victory, delivering the kind of decisive display that has become familiar in a startling start to the campaign. Yamal now has 11 goals and seven assists from only 10 matches, as he continues to press his case for football’s biggest individual honours after a quieter World Cup.
Spain had also seen him score inside two minutes against England at Wembley three days earlier, and their latest win extended an unbeaten run that has reached 40 games. Yet this was not a flawless individual performance from the Barcelona winger. Croatia coach Slaven Bilic assigned Josko Gvardiol to his side, and the Manchester City defender kept Yamal relatively contained for long periods, frequently stopping his attempts to dribble through.
Yamal still found three moments that shaped the contest. Croatia levelled through Dion Beljo, but Spain restored their lead in the 31st minute. A short-corner routine with Fermin Lopez gave Yamal room to cross with his right foot, and Marc Pubill headed in to make it 2-1.
Fermin was increasingly involved before making way for Pedri, another of Yamal’s Barcelona team-mates. Five minutes after entering, Pedri released Yamal down the right. Dominik Livakovic, who is behind him in the Barcelona goalkeeping order, narrowed the angle well, but Yamal struck firmly and saw his effort go in off the post in the 63rd minute.
It was his first two-goal outing for Spain since the European Championship semi-final against France, a 2-1 win two years ago. After celebrating by sitting on the ball, Yamal was withdrawn shortly afterwards for Victor Munoz, leaving the pitch with Spain’s win secure and another statement made.
