Lamine Yamal scored twice and created another goal as Spain beat Croatia 4-1 to maintain their perfect start to UEFA Nations League Group A3 and extend their European-record unbeaten run to 40 matches.
The World Cup winners were playing at home for the first time since lifting the trophy in July, with Rodri parading it on the pitch before kick-off. Yamal needed only two minutes to give Spain the lead, curling Alex Baena’s pass inside the far post after Fermin Lopez dummied the ball.
Spain threatened to take control when Baena’s effort was pushed away by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but the visitors drew level in the 28th minute. Dion Beljo headed Croatia’s equaliser as the side which lost the 2023 Nations League final on penalties briefly unsettled the hosts.
Spain restored their advantage less than three minutes later. Yamal delivered from the right into the six-yard box and Marc Pubill powered a header beyond Livakovic.
Fresh from their 3-2 victory over England at Wembley on Saturday, Spain continued to press after the interval. Yamal added his second in the 63rd minute, taking Pedri’s pass inside the area before beating Livakovic from a tight angle.
Nico Williams completed the scoring in the 89th minute to seal a convincing victory for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
England’s 2-0 win over the 10-man Czech Republic in Prague moved them above Croatia into second place in Group A3.
