WORLD CHAMPIONS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY

Spain come from behind to claim narrow victory in Split

07.10.2026.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League, Croatia hosted reigning world champions Spain in Split, with the visitors securing all three points with a goal in the 89th minute.

CROATIA - SPAIN 1:2 (1:0)
Nations League, Group A3.
Split, Poljud Stadium.
Referee: E. Lambrechts (Belgium)
Goals: 1:0 - Perišić (17'), 1:1 - Merino (61'), 1:2 - Merino (89')
Yellow cards: Perišić (22'), Modrić (65'), Rodri (66'), Munoz (90+2')
Red card: Perišić (79' - second yellow)
Croatia: Livaković, Gvardiol, Šutalo, Vušković, Stanišić, Jakić, Modrić (66' P. Sučić), Kovačić (88' Mario Pašalić), Perišić, Vlašić (71' Baturina), Matanović (66' Beljo). Coach: S. Bilić.
Spain: Simon, Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsi, Pubill, Rodri (71' Zubimendi), Olmo (71' Fermin), Pedri (87' Pino), Baena (46' Merino), Yamal (78' Munoz), Oyarzabal. Coach: L. de la Fuente.

Slaven Bilić's side concluded their first international window of the autumn with a home clash against the reigning European and world champions, Spain, and were rewarded for their excellent start to the match in the 17th minute.

Kovačić made the run, Matanović took the shot, and Perišić headed the rebound into the net to give Croatia a 1:0 lead. Croatia then had another excellent opportunity through Matanović, but the teams went into the break with Croatia holding a narrow advantage.

In the second half, Spain's pressure paid off in the 61st minute when substitute Merino found the back of the net, while Croatia were reduced to ten men around ten minutes from the end after Perišić was sent off for a second yellow card.

Merino took advantage in the closing stages, scoring his second goal of the match to seal a 2:1 victory for Spain. In the other fourth-round match, England defeated Czechia 3:0 at home.

Nations League, Group A3:

Spain 12
England 9
Croatia 3
Czechia 0

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