Spain and Croatia meet in Seville with early control of their Nations League group at stake, bringing together two sides that opened the campaign with three points and several familiar faces for Serie A supporters.
A contest for the early lead
- Spain began their League A Group A programme by winning 3-2 away to England at Wembley, with Lamine Yamal among the figures in Luis de la Fuente’s side.
- Croatia also started with a victory, overcoming the Czech Republic in Prague. Luka Modric opened the scoring and added another national-team record to his long international career, while Mario Pasalic was also decisive in securing Croatia’s first three points.
- The second round brings the two winners together at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in Seville, where kick-off is scheduled for 20:45. The result will decide the provisional leaders of the group.
The selected teams
De la Fuente has named Spain in a 4-3-3 system, with Unai Simon behind a defence containing Pau Cubarsi and Dean Huijsen. Martin Zubimendi anchors the midfield alongside Fermin Lopez and Fabian Ruiz, while Yamal joins Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Baena in attack.
- Spain: Unai Simon; Pubill, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Fermin Lopez, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.
- Coach: Luis de la Fuente.
Croatia line up in the same 4-3-3 shape. Dominik Livakovic starts in goal, with Josip Sutalo, Josko Gvardiol and Ivan Perisic among the defensive unit. Mateo Kovacic is included in midfield, while Pasalic starts in the front three after his contribution against the Czech Republic.
- Croatia: Livakovic; Smolcic, Pongracic, Gvardiol, Perisic; Misic, Sutalo, Kovacic; Sucic, Beljo, Pasalic.
- Coach: Bilic.
Modric’s continuing international chapter
For Modric, the trip to Seville arrives after another landmark evening in Prague. His opening goal against the Czech Republic reinforced his standing as Croatia’s enduring reference point, at a moment when his club situation with Milan remains part of the wider discussion around the veteran midfielder.
Sunday’s meeting is therefore more than an early group fixture: Spain seek to build on their Wembley statement, while Croatia arrive with their own winning start and the experience of a side accustomed to competing deep into international tournaments.
