Spain and Croatia met in Seville on Tuesday for matchday 2 of Group 3 in the Nations League A division.
The reigning world and European champions opened the campaign with a 3-2 win in England, while Croatia came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 away. Spain were heavy favorites, both in the group and the competition as a whole. Following this match, both sides return to action on Saturday — Croatia host England at Rujevica, while Spain welcome the Czech Republic.
Slaven Bilić made several changes from Prague, with only five players retaining their places. Dinamo Zagreb duo Dion Drena Beljo and Josip Mišić were handed starting berths, with Beljo leading the attack. Behind him, Ivan Perišić, Marco Pašalić, and Petar Sučić provided support, while Mateo Kovačić partnered Mišić in midfield.
The defensive line also saw significant reshuffling. Joško Gvardiol dropped to left back, while Ivan Smolčić came in on the right to replace Josip Stanišić. Josip Šutalo and Marin Pongračić formed the central defensive partnership.
Spain’s Luis de la Fuente also made notable changes, leaving captain Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres on the bench from the start. However, Lamine Yamal started and immediately posed a threat to the Vatreni.
Lineups
CROATIA: Livaković – Smolčić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol – Mišić, Kovačić – Marco Pašalić, P. Sučić, Perišić – Beljo
SPAIN: Unai Simón – Pubill, Cubarsí, Huijsen, Cucurella – Zubimendi, Ruiz, Lopez – Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena
Match report
The spectacle in Seville kicked off at 20:45, and Spain wasted no time, scoring with their very first attack as Baena and Cucurella combined to release Lamine Yamal on the edge of the box, who fired into the far corner in the second minute.
Croatia struggled to gain any foothold in the early stages. Cucurella and Baena continued to cause problems down the left, with another chance in the fourth minute falling to Baena from 16 meters, only for Livaković to hold comfortably. Oyarzabal also threatened after a slick Yamal assist, and Cubarsí tested Livaković from range as Spain dominated. Pongračić, who had a nervy opening, picked up a yellow card in the 19th minute.
Croatia’s first meaningful attacking moment came in the 17th minute when Perišić crossed to the far post for Marco Pašalić, but his header was comfortably gathered by Unai Simón. The Vatreni gradually found their footing and managed to settle into the match, though Spain remained firmly in control.
The 28th minute brought a moment of Croatian joy. Perišić delivered a pinpoint cross and Dion Drena Beljo rose to meet it with a header that beat Simón, scoring his first senior international goal and drawing Croatia level. The celebrations were short-lived. Within three minutes, Yamal found space on the left and picked out Pubill in the center, who headed calmly into the net to restore Spain’s lead. Pubill’s first international goal put the hosts back in front at 2-1.
Spain continued to press before the break. Fermín López struck the post with a superb effort from the edge of the box, while Oyarzabal had a goal disallowed for offside. Half time arrived with Spain deserving their advantage, Baena fortunate to still be on the pitch after a series of sharp reactions to refereeing decisions.
Bilić made one change at half-time with Luka Vušković replacing Pongračić. Spain began the second half with more of the same, though Croatia created their first real chance of the half in the 50th minute when Sučić played in Marco Pašalić, whose effort was blocked and won a corner.
De la Fuente made his first substitutions in the 57th minute, bringing on Merino and Pedri for Fermín and Fabián Ruiz. Croatia responded three minutes later with a double change of their own, with Ante Budimir and Mario Pašalić replacing Beljo and Kovačić.
The third goal came in the 63rd minute and it was Yamal again. The teenager burst clear of the Croatian defense, rounded Livaković one-on-one, and slotted the ball into the near post where it bounced into the net. Croatia showed spirit and continued to push, with Ivanović — who had replaced Perišić in the 72nd minute — firing narrowly wide from distance in the 77th minute. Pedri also drew a fine save from Livaković late on.
In the 81st minute, Luka Modrić received a warm reception from the Seville crowd as he was introduced from the bench. The veteran captain tried his luck in the 90th minute, getting into the box and shooting from ten meters, but fired straight at Simón.
By then, the result had long been decided. A minute before the final whistle, Nico Williams wrapped up a convincing Spanish victory. Merino played him in on the left side of the penalty area; Williams held off Šutalo and finished precisely past Livaković to make it 4-1.
This was Croatia’s first defeat in the new edition of the Nations League. After two rounds, they hold third place in Group A3. This was also Slaven Bilić’s first defeat since returning to the Croatia bench.
Croatia plays its next match on Saturday, October 3rd, when they welcome England to Rujevica.
