Spain defeats Croatia 4-1 in Seville as Lamine Yamal scores twice in Nations League
Lamine Yamal scored twice and provided an assist as Spain defeated Croatia 4-1 in Seville on Tuesday, maintaining a perfect start to their UEFA Nations League campaign.
Early exchange of headers in Seville
Spain entered the UEFA Nations League match in Seville following an opening 3-2 victory against England at Wembley. The hosts took the lead in the second minute after completing 25 passes across 70 seconds from kickoff, ending when Lamine Yamal scored with a first-time strike set up by Alex Baena. Croatia had won their opener 2-1 against the Czech Republic under returning manager Slaven Bilic, but struggled to generate attacks early on, testing goalkeeper Unai Simon for the first time in the 17th minute. The visitors equalized in the 28th minute when 195-centimeter Dinamo Zagreb striker Dion Beljo headed in a cross from captain Ivan Perisic, marking his first goal for the national team in his third appearance. Spain answered three minutes later in the 31st minute when Yamal delivered a cross from the right wing to Marc Pubill, who headed the ball into the net from close range to restore the lead.
Spanish pressure and first-half control
The home team increased their offensive output after reclaiming the lead, testing the Croatian backline with several attempts before the interval. Dominik Livakovic parried a long-range strike from Alex Baena, while defender Pau Cubarsi sent another chance narrowly wide of the target. Midfielder Fermin Lopez missed narrowly from distance before forcing a save from Livakovic on the subsequent attack. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the rebound from Fermin's saved attempt, but the assistant referee disallowed the goal for offside. In the 45th minute, Fermin struck the goalpost, leaving Luis de la Fuente's team with a 2-1 advantage at halftime while Croatia entered the break having registered only one off-target shot alongside Beljo's goal.
Yamal brace and second-half dominance
Croatia began the second half with aggressive challenges, leading the referee to caution several players, including Alex Baena, Marco Pasalic, and Josip Misic. Spain maintained composure and extended their advantage in the 63rd minute when substitute Pedri found Yamal, who beat Livakovic with a finish from a sharp angle inside the near post. Both coaches made multiple substitutions after the third goal, bringing on key players for the final half-hour. Luka Modric entered the pitch for Croatia to a standing ovation from the crowd in Seville. In the 89th minute, substitute Nico Williams completed a team passing move to make it 4-1. Modric produced a late individual run into the penalty area, but his shot went straight to Simon in what proved to be Croatia's second and final shot on target of the contest.
- Lamine Yamal opens the scoring for Spain after a 25-pass sequence
- Dion Beljo heads in the equalizer for Croatia from an Ivan Perisic cross
- Marc Pubill heads in a cross from Yamal to restore Spain's lead
- Yamal scores his second goal from a Pedri pass at the near post
- Nico Williams scores Spain's fourth goal to seal the 4-1 victory
Group standings and Czech Republic fixture
The 4-1 victory followed Spain's 39-match unbeaten streak and marked their ninth consecutive win. Elsewhere in League A Group 3 on Tuesday, England secured a 2-0 victory against the Czech Republic in Prague. The Czechs played with ten men after Pavel Sulc received a red card in the 23rd minute for a foul on Elliot Anderson, while Myles Lewis-Skelly received a yellow card shortly afterward. Anthony Gordon scored England's opening goal following an interception and cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Harry Kane doubled the advantage by scoring in his fifth consecutive match. Spain sits atop the group table ahead of their fixture against the Czech Republic on 3 October, while Croatia hosts England on the same date.
