Spain left Split with a 2-1 Nations League victory over Croatia, turning a hostile evening at Stadion Poljud into another statement of resilience. Mikel Merino scored twice after Ivan Perisic had put the hosts ahead, extending Luis de la Fuente’s side’s unbeaten sequence to 43 matches and securing direct passage to the quarter-finals.
The fourth matchday meeting, played at 20:45 local time, completed Spain’s four-match international window with four positive results. They will not be back in action until November, departing the Croatian coast at the top of Group 3.
A difficult night at Poljud
Split had been ready for a response from Croatia after their 7-0 defeat to England the previous Saturday. The home crowd created a fierce setting, while Croatia began with intensity and forced Spain to defend in the opening stages.
- Perisic’s early effort was blocked by Pau Cubarsí, before Unai Simón held a shot from Josip Stanišić.
- Croatia’s pressure brought the opening goal in the 16th minute. Simón made an initial save, but Perisic reacted quickest to the loose ball and finished the rebound.
- Perisic was booked four minutes later for a strong challenge on Marc Pubill, while Simón then made another important stop to prevent Croatia from doubling their advantage.
- Spain gradually found more possession. Lamine Yamal, closely watched whenever he received the ball on the right, went close from Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass, and Oyarzabal later headed weakly at Dominik Livaković from an Aymeric Laporte cross.
- The interval arrived with Croatia 1-0 ahead, leaving Spain’s 42-match unbeaten record, which had stood since March 2023, under genuine pressure.
Merino changes the course of the match
De la Fuente acted at half-time, replacing Álex Baena with Merino. Spain returned with greater control, although Lamine Yamal missed a major chance when his touch took him away from goal as he attempted to round Livaković. Appeals for a penalty involving Dani Olmo were reviewed and dismissed.
- Spain’s equaliser arrived in the 60th minute. Following a series of rebounds in the Croatian area, Arsenal midfielder Merino found space to drive the ball home.
- Croatia made changes soon afterwards, with Luka Modrić and Igor Matanović replaced by Luka Sučić and Dion Beljo, while Martin Baturina came on for Nikola Vlašić.
- Rodri was cautioned in the 66th minute. Croatia still threatened through Perisic, whose 77th-minute shot was pushed away by Simón.
- Perisic’s evening ended in the 78th minute when he received a second yellow card for a foul on Marc Cucurella, reducing Croatia to 10 men.
- Spain introduced Víctor Muñoz for Yamal shortly afterwards and continued to press against the depleted hosts.
- Merino delivered the decisive moment in the 88th minute, controlling the ball sharply before finishing for his second goal of the night.
- Four minutes of added time followed, but Spain protected their 2-1 lead to complete the comeback.
Simón’s saves, particularly during Croatia’s strongest periods, were central to the away side’s recovery. At the other end, Merino supplied the clinical edge Spain required, first restoring parity and then sealing a win that confirmed their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Teams and match officials
| Team | Starting line-up |
|---|---|
| Croatia | Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Vušković, Gvardiol; Modrić, Jakić, Perišić, Vlašić, Kovačić, Matanović |
| Spain | Unai Simón; Cucurella, Cubarsí, Laporte, Pubill; Dani Olmo, Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, Álex Baena |
Spain’s substitutes included Josep Martínez, David Raya, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Iván Fresneda, Fran García, Fermín López, Martín Zubimendi, Merino, Víctor Muñoz, Yéremy Pino and Roberto. Carlos Espí was left out of the match squad.
Croatia’s bench featured Kotarski, Pandur, Pongračić, Petar Sučić, Luka Sučić, Baturina, Josip Mišić, Mario Pašalić, Kramarić, Marco Pašalić, Beljo and Budimir.
Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts oversaw the match, with Bert Put operating as the video assistant referee.
