Spain emerged from a demanding run of four matches in 10 days with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Oviedo, though a night that began with Lamine Yamal’s latest masterpiece briefly tightened after Václav Slama pulled one back. Rodri had doubled the advantage before Mikel Merino settled the contest late on at the Tartiere.
Key takeaways
- Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after five minutes, adding another early international goal to those he has struck at Wembley and the Pizjuán.
- Rodri controlled the midfield, scored his fifth goal in 73 Spain appearances and completed more than 95% of his passes.
- A Czech equaliser was ruled out because Robin Le Normand had been fouled, moments after Slama had made it 2-1.
- Iván Fresneda and Roberto made their senior Spain debuts, while Fran García returned to the side.
- Merino converted in the closing stages after an individual run from Víctor Muñoz to secure the 3-1 result.
From early command to a late seal
Spain appeared set for a comfortable evening almost immediately. Dani Olmo created an early opportunity for Lamine before the Barcelona forward found the net himself, bending a left-footed effort from the edge of the area into the top corner. It was a finish that left goalkeeper Antonín Kinský helpless and even drew a disbelieving reaction from coach Luis de la Fuente.
Rodri then gave Spain further breathing room. The midfielder dictated the tempo throughout, combining sharply with Pedri, Álex Baena and Olmo in one flowing move, while his own goal followed a regain of possession and a composed finish seconds later. Pedri, starting in the absence of Fabián Ruiz, was influential between the lines and repeatedly found penetrative passes, with Olmo providing the attacking acceleration around him.
Yet the game changed when Slama scored for the Czech Republic. Spain had been largely untroubled until then, and David Raya had little chance with the finish. The Arsenal goalkeeper was later fortunate when an attempted equaliser did not stand: a foul on Le Normand during the build-up prevented what would have been 2-2.
That decision gave Spain the chance to manage a more nervy final phase. Merino eventually restored control, reacting after Víctor Muñoz had beaten defenders with a late dribble and seen his shot stopped. The midfielder was used primarily to bring balance, but again showed his instinct for arriving at the decisive moment.
New faces make their case in Oviedo
Fresneda handled his first senior appearance with maturity. Operating high on the right for long stretches, he was involved in possession, won his duels and looked comfortable stepping into midfield areas. There was a suggestion that he might have been wider in the build-up to the Czech goal, but it remained a memorable debut.
Roberto also made his Spain bow and worked relentlessly without finding a debut goal. His best opening came from close range after a cross by Víctor Muñoz, but Kinský made the save. Roberto was involved in the build-up to the third goal and appeared to take a knock in the process.
Fran García, back in the team after Cucurella was rested, offered energy down the left, reaching the byline and delivering dangerous balls while remaining alert defensively. At centre-back, Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte dealt calmly with the aerial threat, with Laporte also important in bringing the ball out from the back.
Víctor Muñoz made a particularly lively contribution after the interval. He drove beyond his marker with his first involvement to create Roberto’s chance, narrowly missed with a low effort, and then supplied the late attacking thrust that led to Merino’s goal. His performance strengthened his case for a larger role in Croatia.
Baena covered ground across the attacking line before being withdrawn at half-time, continuing his promising understanding with Olmo and Spain’s midfield. Yeremy Pino produced several bright attempts and a dangerous cross-shot, while Fermín combined well with Víctor Muñoz after his introduction. Martín Zubimendi replaced Rodri late on to help Spain see out the Czech pressure.
